Upper Atmosphere
A section of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433).
Section Information
The upper atmosphere is one of the most sensitive shells embracing our planet. It is subject to impacts from both above (the Sun and magnetosphere) and below (tropospheric disturbances, earthquakes, and volcano eruptions). Its reactions to these impacts can be used for diagnostics of our environment, from the ground surface up to the magnetosphere and Sun. The upper atmosphere has a complex structure and composition, changing with altitude, from a mixture of neutral gases up to completely ionized space plasma. If the upper part (the thermosphere and ionosphere) can be monitored by both satellites and ground-based instruments, such as ionosondes and GPS receivers, the lower part, from 50 up to 80 km, is difficult to monitor; this is why papers describing new technologies of the lower part of the upper atmosphere are welcomed.
We welcome publications describing the upper atmosphere dynamics in different solar and geomagnetic conditions, as well as those stimulated by effects from below. Methods for upper ionosphere monitoring, as well as papers concerned with the modeling of physical processes, are invited. Download Section Flyer
Keywords
- stratosphere
- thermosphere
- ionosphere
- ionospheric sounding
- GPS TEC
- ionospheric tomography
- acoustic gravity waves (AGWs)
- traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs)
- global electric circuit (GEC)
- solar activity
- geomagnetic activity
- galactic cosmic rays
- ionospheric precursors of earthquakes
- modeling of atmosphere and ionosphere
- plasma bubbles/turbulence
- geosphere interaction
Editorial Board
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Atmospheric and Ionospheric Precursors to Earthquakes: Observations and Coupling Mechanisms (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Ionospheric Responses to Solar Activity (Deadline: 1 November 2026)
- Monitoring of Ionospheric Perturbations (Deadline: 15 December 2026)
- Ionospheric Dynamics and Effects on Radio Wave Propagation (Deadline: 30 December 2026)
- Feature Papers in Upper Atmosphere (3rd Edition) (Deadline: 31 January 2027)
- Seismo-Related Lithosphere–Atmosphere–Ionosphere Coupling: Observations and Mechanisms (Deadline: 28 February 2027)
- Impacts of Geomagnetic Activity on Atmosphere (Deadline: 15 March 2027)
- Ionospheric Disturbances and Space Weather: From Observations to Predictive Modelling (Deadline: 15 March 2027)
- Advances in Solar–Terrestrial Relationships: Understanding Space Weather Impacts and Their Physical Basis (Deadline: 30 June 2027)
