Abstract
SEVERAL mechanisms have been proposed to explain the super-rotation of the Earth's upper atmosphere discovered by King-Hele1. These mechanisms can be divided into two general groups. The first considers the absorption of solar radiation within the upper atmosphere as the original driving force for the super-rotation, whereas the second assumes the primary source to lie outside the upper atmosphere. The first group can be subdivided into three parts which give differing hypotheses to explain the transformation of solar radiation energy into kinetic energy of the super-rotation.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
King-Hele, D. G., Planet. Space Sci., 12, 835 (1964).
Hines, C. O., Planet. Space Sci., 13, 169 (1965).
Volland, H., and Mayr, H. G. NASA-Document X-621-71 (GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland, 1971).
King-Hele, D. G., Scott, D. W., and Walker, D. M. C., Planet. Space Sci., 18, 1433 (1970).
Challinor, R. A., Planet. Space Sci., 16, 557 (1968).
Challinor, R. A., Planet. Space Sci., 17, 1097 (1969).
Challinor, R. A., Planet. Space Sci., 18, 1485 (1970).
Rishbeth, H., Nature, 229, 333 (1971).
Kohl, H., and King, J. W., J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 29, 1045 (1967).
Geisler, J. E., J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 29, 1469 (1967).
Cole, K. D., Planet. Space Sci., 19, 59 (1971).
Mozer, F. S., and Manka, R. H., J. Geophys. Res., 76, 1697 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VOLLAND, H. Magnetospheric Electric Fields and the Super-rotation of the Earth's Upper Atmosphere. Nature 232, 248–249 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/232248a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/232248a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
