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:
- Ionospheric Responses to Solar Activity (Deadline: 1 May 2026)
- Dynamic Responses to Magnetosphere–Thermosphere–Ionosphere Coupling: Exploring Solar Cycles and Geomagnetic Activity (Deadline: 30 May 2026)
- Atmospheric Impacts of Space Weather and Extreme Meteorological Events (Deadline: 31 May 2026)
- Monitoring of Ionospheric Perturbations (Deadline: 10 June 2026)
- Impacts of Geomagnetic Activity on Atmosphere (Deadline: 25 June 2026)
- Geomagnetic Storms and Their Consequences: Advances in Prediction Models (Deadline: 30 June 2026)
- Understanding the Role of Wave-Particle Interactions in Earth’s Radiation Belt Dynamics Using Observations, Simulations and Modelling (Deadline: 15 September 2026)
- Advances in Observation and Simulation Studies of Ionosphere (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Ionospheric Dynamics and Effects on Radio Wave Propagation (Deadline: 30 December 2026)
