Atmospheric composition and structure of HD209458b

Transiting planets like HD209458b offer a unique opportunity to scrutinize their atmospheric composition and structure. Transit spectroscopy probes the transition region between the day and night sides, called the limb. We present a re-analysis of existing HST/STIS transmission spectra of HD209458b's atmosphere. From these observations we identify H2 Rayleigh scattering, derive the absolute Sodium abundance and quantify its depletion in the upper atmosphere, extract a stratospheric T-P profile and find a temperature inversion and explain broad band absorptions with the presence of TiO and VO molecules.

<i>Letter to the Editor</i> Seasonal variations and vertical movement of the tropopause in the UTLS region

Based on the tracking of the movement of the tropopause over the whole year, the extent/depth of stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) events and their seasonal variations is investigated. It is found that a stratospheric signature can be observed at pressures as high as 400 hPa in a hemisphere during its winter to spring period, while a tropospheric signature can be observed at pressures as low as 190 hPa during the hemispheric summer to autumn months. The major implication for such a pronounced vertical movement is that the downward penetration of air from the stratosphere is likely to deposit elevated levels of O3 into the upper troposphere. Though the analysis at 250 hPa reveals that the values of the stratosphere-troposphere index are similar all year round, a result which is consistent with other studies, it is found that an intrusion from the stratosphere to the troposphere is more likely to occur during the hemispheric winter to spring period than other seasons.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (pressure, density, and temperature; troposphere–composition and chemistry)

On the fast movements of the thermosphere: an interpretation

We examine the oscillations of the meridional neutral wind in the F region as seen by the EISCAT radar. We propose an interpretation in term of eddies (tourbillons) of typical size of a few tens to a few hundreds of kilometers. The observed rotation velocity is a few hundreds of meters per second. We suggest that the tourbillons are a common feature of thermospheric movements. We propose an optical experiment to check the validity of this assumption.Key words: Atmospheric composition and structure (thermosphere · composition and chemistry) · Ionosphere (ionosphere · atmosphere interactions)

Hydroxyl (6−2) airglow emission intensity ratios for rotational temperature determination

OH(6–2) Q1/P1 and R1/P1 airglow emission intensity ratios, for rotational states up to j' = 4.5, are measured to be lower than implied by transition probabilities published by various authors including Mies, Langhoff et al. and Turnbull and Lowe. Experimentally determined relative values of j' transitions yield OH(6–2) rotational temperatures 2 K lower than Langhoff et al., 7 K lower than Mies and 13 K lower than Turnbull and Lowe.Key words: Atmospheric composition and structure (airglow and aurora; pressure, density and temperature)