RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOLAR MAGNETIC SECTORS AND MESOSPHERIC TEMPERATURES AT THUMBA.

Abstract

Variations in equatorial mesospheric temperatures in the 51-70 km altitude region recorded from 115 M-100 rocket soundings pt Thumba (8°N, 77°E), have been analysed in relation to solar magnetic sector structure over the period December 1970-May 1973. The pattern of  esospheric temperature variations is found to be dependent on the type of sector. Heating effects of 5-10°C are observed in the mesosphere following both types a sector boundary crossings. These effects are sound to be preceded by mesospheric temperature decreases. An explanation in terms of the changes in energetic particle fluxes within the sectors is suggested for the observed varirtions in mesospheric temperature. Similar variations dependent on sector structure are possible in stratospheric parameters.