Some anomalies of mesosphere/lower thermosphere parameters during the recent solar minimum

Abstract

The recent solar minimum has been characterized by an anomalous strong decrease of thermospheric density since 2005. Here we analyze anomalies of mesosphere/lower thermosphere parameters possibly connected with this effect. In particular, nighttime mean LF reflection heights measured at Collm, Germany, show a very strong decrease after 2005, indicating a density decrease. This decrease is also visible in mean meteor heights measured with VHF meteor radar at Collm. This density decrease is accompanied by an increase of gravity wave (GW) amplitudes in the upper mesosphere and a decrease in the lower thermosphere. On the decadal scale, GWs are negatively correlated with the background zonal wind, but this correlation is modulated in the course of the solar cycle, indicating the combined effect of GW filtering and density decrease.