Better real-time estimates of thermospheric density are vital to the safe management of satellite traffic in Low Earth orbit, ensuring those satellites continue to deliver critical services.
Thermospheric dynamics
Stratospheric Weather Impacts Light Species at Great Heights
Sudden stratospheric warmings in the high latitude wintertime can drive changes in light species (H, He and O) all the way though the thermosphere, likely influencing ion densities in the exosphere.
Windy Weather in the Thermosphere
The weather in the thermosphere includes winds that buffet spacecraft as they orbit the Earth, but how well can these winds be modeled?
Charles A. Barth, 1930–2014
Long-time director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics conducted pioneering studies of the atmospheres of Earth and other planets using ultraviolet spectroscopy.
Role of Lunar Atmospheric Tides in Thermosphere Density
Researchers explored how lunar gravity affects the density of the thermosphere. The study could help improve the accuracy of satellite orbit predictions.