The Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE)

Authors

• L. Scherliess, Utah State UniversityFollow
• M. J. Taylor, Utah State University
• P.-Dominique Pautet, Utah State University
• Y. Zhao, Utah State University
• B. Lamborn, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
• H. Latvakoski, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
• G. Cantwell, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
• P. Sevilla, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
• E. Syrstad, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory
• J. Forbes, University of Colorado, Boulder
• S. Eckermann, Naval Research Laboratory
• D. Fritts, GATS
• D. Janches, NASA/GSFC Space Weather Laboratory
• H. Liu, National Center for Atmospheric Research
• J. Snively, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Document Type

Presentation

Journal/Book Title/Conference

IAGA Meeting 2025

Publisher

International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy

Location

Lisbon, Portugal

Publication Date

9-2-2025

First Page

1

Last Page

16

Abstract

Modern theory and modeling indicate that atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) play an important role in vertical coupling of the atmosphere-ionosphere system. Although small-scale AGWs (horizontal wavelengths ~30–300 km) are thought to account for the dominant energy and momentum inputs at Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) altitudes, the sources, variability, and influences of small-scale AGWs are still major unknowns. NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) mission is a Heliophysics Small Explorers Mission of Opportunity designed to investigate how terrestrial weather affects space weather, via small-scale AGWs produced in Earth’s atmosphere. Installed on the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2023, AWE began its 2-year mission to explore global distribution of AGWs, study processes controlling their propagation throughout the upper atmosphere, and estimate their impacts on the ITM system. The AWE science instrument consists of an Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (AMTM) that quantifies gravity wave-induced temperature disturbances in the hydroxyl (OH) airglow layer (~87 km altitude). The AMTM’s four identical telescopes make continuous nighttime observations of the P₁(2) and P₁(4) emission lines of the OH (3,1) band, the Q₁(1) emission line in the OH (2,0) band, and the atmospheric background from which the OH layer temperature is derived. AWE images are collected once per second, co-added, and processed into intensity and temperature swaths using correction algorithms derived from ground calibration test results. OH layer Global coverage is provided every four days, enabling regional and seasonal studies, and characterization of AGW ‘hot spots.’ This paper provides an overview of the AWE mission and discuss initial results.

Recommended Citation

Scherliess, L.; Taylor, M. J.; Pautet, P.-Dominique; Zhao, Y.; Lamborn, B.; Latvakoski, H.; Cantwell, G.; Sevilla, P.; Syrstad, E.; Forbes, J.; Eckermann, S.; Fritts, D.; Janches, D.; Liu, H.; and Snively, J., "The Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE)" (2025). Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications. Paper 450.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/sdl_pubs/450