Investigating Mesospheric Gravity Waves Over Bear Lake, Utah
Class
Article
Department
Physics
Faculty Mentor
Mike Taylor
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Atmospheric gravity waves are known to affect the dynamics (winds and temperatures) of the upper atmosphere. As they propagate upwards from tropospheric sources and break in the mesosphere like waves on a beach depositing their energy and momentum. At Bear Lake Observatory we have operated a Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (MTM) to measure the amplitudes of the gravity waves as they propagate through the OH airglow layer at ~87 km. Here we present results from wave analyses over a one year period March 2013-April 2014 investigating wave amplitudes and temperature variances. Our goal is to complete a seasonal study to look for summer and winter differences in these parameters associated with different wave sources.
Start Date
4-9-2015 3:00 PM
Investigating Mesospheric Gravity Waves Over Bear Lake, Utah
Atmospheric gravity waves are known to affect the dynamics (winds and temperatures) of the upper atmosphere. As they propagate upwards from tropospheric sources and break in the mesosphere like waves on a beach depositing their energy and momentum. At Bear Lake Observatory we have operated a Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (MTM) to measure the amplitudes of the gravity waves as they propagate through the OH airglow layer at ~87 km. Here we present results from wave analyses over a one year period March 2013-April 2014 investigating wave amplitudes and temperature variances. Our goal is to complete a seasonal study to look for summer and winter differences in these parameters associated with different wave sources.