Neutral density variation from specular meteor echo observations spanning one solar cycle

Abstract

Specular meteor radars have provided essential information about the mesospheric/lower thermosphere (MLT) dynamics. The Canadian Meteor Orbit Radar has been conducting continuous meteor echo observations in a fixed, stable configuration since 2002. Here we present estimates of the neutral air density variations derived from observations of the meteor peak flux altitude. Using a simple model assuming a linear trend and a sinusoidal solar cycle we derived a trend of a decreasing neutral density of 5.8 ± 1.1% per decade at approximately 91 km altitude and an amplitude across the most recent solar cycle, the solar cycle of 2.4 ± 0.7% for solar cycle 23/24. The long-term trend of decreasing neutral air density in the MLT is in good agreement with the model results from Akmaev et al. (2006). Key Points Estimation of neutral air density variations spanning one solar cycleDetermination of solar cycle effects due to F10.7 on MLT neutral air densityEstimation of long-term trend in neutral air density in the MLT