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Ashique Vellalassery

Long-term trends and solar cycle response of noctilucent clouds

Universität Rostock, June 2024

https://doi.org/10.18453/rosdok_id00005166

Abstract: Noctilucent clouds (NLCs) are ice particle clouds found 80-85 km above Earth's surface in the cold (~130K) summer mesopause region. Their formation requires extremely low temperatures and water vapour (H2O). NLCs are sensitive to temperature and water vapour levels, making them useful tracers for atmospheric conditions in this region. This thesis investigates the 11-year solar cycle's impact on NLCs, water vapor, and temperatures using model simulations, covering 170 years (1849–2019). Results show water vapour response to the solar cycle is altitude-dependent.

doctoral thesis   free access