Diurnal variations in the thermosphere. I - Theoretical formulation
A nonlinear perturbation theory is formulated for the solution of the multicomponent equations of energy, mass, and momentum conservation in the atmosphere. The theory is three-dimensional and includes the effects of heat conduction and advection, viscosity, ion drag, and diffusion. The theory is described as a superposition of mathematical modes obtained by expanding the physical quantities into vector and spherical harmonics. The coupling between the various modes, both linear and nonlinear, is included. The theory provides a basis for the treatment of the thermosphere and its interaction with the lower atmosphere, where 'mode coupling' is most important. As an example, a comparison is presented between one-dimensional and three-dimensional calculations of the fundamental mode of the diurnal component in the thermosphere. Coupling between the lowest modes is considered to describe the physical conditions of the lower thermosphere where inertia and Coriolis forces become dominant over the ion-drag and viscous forces. In this region, the latitude structures of the temperature, wind field, and diffusively controlled oxygen are shown to change significantly.