All Physics Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

22

Issue

20

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Publication Date

10-1995

First Page

2841

Last Page

2844

Abstract

Monochromatic Acoustic Gravity Waves (AGWs) with periods < 1 hour are a prevalent feature in the mesospheric airglow layers. These waves are important dynamically and energetically to the region where their temporal and spatial morphology are not well established. The purpose of this study is establish the intrinsic AGW characteristics over an extended region (as flown by the NCAR Electra aircraft) and to present the data in terms of the predicted spectral domain defined by the Brunt‐Vaisala frequency and the diffusive filtering limit proposed by Gardner [1994]. On October 21, 1993, observations were made from the NCAR Electra aircraft during a 6 hour flight in a large triangle N and W of Maui, for a integral distance of ∼3000 km. The entire area observed [∼1 M km²] had a monochromatic AGW propagating toward the NW and the western half had a SW propagating wave superimposed. These waves were also observed with the Michelson interferometer on the aircraft and an airglow imager at the Haleakala location during this time. Intrinsic phase velocities were computed where the Na Wind/Temperature (W/T) lidar at Haleakala provided a measure of the mean wind to compensate phase velocities observed with the imager. The data were tabulated and plotted in an AGW spectral reference frame and compared to cutoff conditions predicted by diffusive filtering theory.

Comments

Published by the American Geophysical Union in Geophysical Research Letters: http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/1995/95GL02579.shtml

Publisher PDF is available for download through the link above.

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