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Variations in Upper-atmosphere Density between Sunspot Maximum and Minimum

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Abstract

THE atmospheric density at heights of 200–800 km has now been quite thoroughly charted during a complete half-cycle of solar activity from the intense sunspot maximum in 1957–58 to the solar minimum in 1964. Nearly all the information has come from investigations of the changes in satellite orbits caused by air drag, from which the air density at heights a little above perigee height can be deduced1. These investigations have shown that at heights of 200–800 km the atmospheric density and temperature are strongly under solar influence: they depend on the presence or absence of solar radiation (the day-to-night effect), and also respond vigorously to changes in solar activity.

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  1. Space Department, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, Hants

    D. G. KING-HELE

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  1. D. G. KING-HELE
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KING-HELE, D. Variations in Upper-atmosphere Density between Sunspot Maximum and Minimum. Nature 203, 959–960 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/203959a0

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