Large scale anomalous temperature and wind variations in the lower and middle atmospheres during the solar eclipse of 15 January 2010

Abstract

During 12-17 January 2010 centered around 15 January, annular solar eclipse event occurred over the Indian tropical region. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sponsored and provided 18 GPS radiosondes (ISRO developed Dr Pisharoty sondes) to the Department of Physics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa (14.5°N, 78.9°E), to study the effects of solar eclipse on the atmospheric dynamics and structure. The analyses of the data obtained from these radiosondes launched by balloons indicate that during this eclipse period, the atmosphere experienced ever recorded largest stratospheric cooling (maximum cooling of ~15 K at 36 km). As a first time ever report, significant localized variations in the strength of the large-scale zonal Walker and meridional Hadley circulations were also found over the Indian longitude region during this solar eclipse event.