In-situ measurements of vertical structure of ozone during the solar eclipse of 15 January 2010

Sudden blockage of the solar radiation during the eclipse leads to both prompt and delayed effects on both the stratospheric and the tropospheric ozone. In this paper we present the in-situ measurements of vertical distribution of ozone made by ozonesondes during the annular solar eclipse of January 15, 2010 from Thiruvananthapuram (8.53°N, 76.87°E). Concurrent measurement of various atmospheric parameters, columnar ozone and UV radiation were also made from ground. The column ozone showed a large decrease matching well with the maximum phase of the eclipse. A systematic decrease in the ozone concentration observed in the stratosphere. A formation of double mixed layer inversion was also observed at ∼2 km on the eclipse day. The eclipse was manifested from the space and captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua satellites.

► The eclipse was manifested from the space and captured by the MODIS Aqua satellites.
► A cooling of the stratospheric layer by ∼ 4–5 °C was observed.
► A decrease in the ozone concentration observed in thestratosphere.
► A formation of double mixed layer inversion was observed at ∼2 km.