Characteristics of Quasi-Monochromatic Gravity Waves Observed with Na Lidar in the Mesopause Region at Starfire Optical Range, NM

Authors

Xiong Hu
Alan Z. Liu, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona BeachFollow
Chester S. GardnerFollow
Gary R. SwensonFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

12-20-2002

Abstract/Description

The University of Illinois Na wind/temperature lidar data collected at the Starfire Optical Range, NM, between Jan. 1998 and May 2000 was used to extract the dominant monochromatic gravity waves. By using simultaneously measured horizontal wind and temperature profiles, the vertical wavelengths (λ_z), (T_I), and propagation directions were determined using the hodograph method. A total of 700 monochromatic gravity waves were analyzed from ~300 h of observations. It was found that 84.4% of the waves were propagating upwards. The mean λ_z was 12.6 km and 9.9 km for upward and downward propagating waves, respectively, and showed a bimodal distribution with the largest number of waves at 15–17 km and 7–9 km. The mean T_I is ~10 h. There is no dominant direction of propagation. For waves with λ_z <11 km, the percentage of upward propagating waves is lower (71%).

Publication Title

Geophysical Research Letters

Scholarly Commons Citation

Hu, X., Liu, A. Z., Gardner, C. S., & Swenson, G. R. (2002). Characteristics of Quasi-Monochromatic Gravity Waves Observed with Na Lidar in the Mesopause Region at Starfire Optical Range, NM. Geophysical Research Letters, 29(24). Retrieved from https://commons.erau.edu/db-physical-sciences/35