Ionic Composition of the Earth’s Exosphere during a Reversal of the Solar Magnetic Field

This paper analyzes measurement data on the ionic composition of the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 810–830 km in the period from 2009 to 2018; the measurements were made with RIMS mass spectrometers onboard the space vehicles Meteor-M no. 1 and Meteor-M no. 2. The spatial–temporal variability of the O+ concentration is analyzed in view of the solar activity (Wolf numbers) during a reversal of the solar magnetic field. It is found that the Sun’s magnetic field reversal occurred during the solar maximum of the 24th solar cycle and was accompanied with a significant increase in the concentration of O+.