Opinion: Recent developments and future directions in studying the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

Abstract This article begins with a review of important advances in the chemistry and related physics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region of the atmosphere that have occurred over the past 2 decades, since the founding of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. The emphasis here is on chemistry, but we also discuss recent findings on atmospheric dynamics and forcings to the extent that these are important for understanding MLT composition and chemistry. Topics that are covered include observations, with satellite, rocket and ground-based techniques; the variability and connectedness of the MLT on various length scales and timescales; airglow emissions; the cosmic dust input and meteoric metal layers; and noctilucent/polar mesospheric ice clouds. The paper then concludes with a discussion of important unanswered questions and likely future directions for the field over the next decade.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Opinion: Recent developments and future directions in studying the mesosphere and lower thermosphere ; volume:23 ; number:20 ; year:2023 ; pages:13255-13282 ; extent:28 ; Atmospheric chemistry and physics ; 23, Heft 20 (2023), 13255-13282 (gesamt 28)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Plane, John M. C. ; Gumbel, Jörg ; Kalogerakis, Konstantinos S. ; Marsh, Daniel R. ; von Savigny, Christian

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/acp-23-13255-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023102604331195825573
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:58 AM CEST