Effects of energetic particle precipitation on the energy budget in the mesosphere and thermosphere - chemistry, temperature, and dynamics

The main objective of this project is to study the temperature and chemical effects of particle precipitation and Joule heating on the upper atmosphere, including its influence on dynamics. This project will use Earth observing spacecrafts such as TIMED, Polar, DMSP, the NOAA, EVISAT and NPOESS satellites, and ground based instruments as the ALOMAR Weber Na Lidar, AIRIS and EISCAT. The varied instrumentation allows us to approach the scientific objectives both from a global as well as a local point of vie w, as case studies as well as statistics. The project is central in relation to extensive international research programs: The SCOSTEP program CAWSES (Climate and Weather of the Sun Earth System), the International Polar Year (IPY), as well as the ILWS (I nternational Living With a Star) program, to which ESA is contributing.