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Title: Mean winds, tides and gravity waves in the upper middle atmosphere during ALOHA-90

Abstract

Wind measurements made with a partial reflection radar located on Christmas Island (2{degree}N, 157{degree}W) are used to describe the dynamical state of the equatorial mesopause region during ALOHA-90. Time mean westward (easterly) winds prevailed at most heights, and reached their maximum values of about {minus}60 ms{sup {minus}1} near 85 km, but the mean meridional motions were weak. Strong oscillations due to the 24, 12, and 8 hr atmospheric tides were also observed in both wind components. The inferred vertical wavelengths were large, even for the diurnal tide. On the nights of 22 and 25 March, when airborne lidar observations were made in the vicinity of Christmas Island, the prevailing and tidal winds combined to produce especially strong westward winds ({minus}100 ms{sup {minus}1}). Gravity wave activity was also high during March/April, especially for short period waves, although considerable day-to-day variability was noted.

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Adelaide (Australia)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5518464
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 18:7; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-8276
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; EQUATOR; MESOSPHERE; ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; GRAVITY WAVES; OPTICAL RADAR; OSCILLATIONS; RADAR; WAVELENGTHS; WIND; EARTH ATMOSPHERE; EVALUATION; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; RANGE FINDERS; 540110*

Citation Formats

Vincent, R A, and Lesicar, D. Mean winds, tides and gravity waves in the upper middle atmosphere during ALOHA-90. United States: N. p., 1991. Web. doi:10.1029/91GL01226.
Vincent, R A, & Lesicar, D. Mean winds, tides and gravity waves in the upper middle atmosphere during ALOHA-90. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01226
Vincent, R A, and Lesicar, D. 1991. "Mean winds, tides and gravity waves in the upper middle atmosphere during ALOHA-90". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01226.
@article{osti_5518464,
title = {Mean winds, tides and gravity waves in the upper middle atmosphere during ALOHA-90},
author = {Vincent, R A and Lesicar, D},
abstractNote = {Wind measurements made with a partial reflection radar located on Christmas Island (2{degree}N, 157{degree}W) are used to describe the dynamical state of the equatorial mesopause region during ALOHA-90. Time mean westward (easterly) winds prevailed at most heights, and reached their maximum values of about {minus}60 ms{sup {minus}1} near 85 km, but the mean meridional motions were weak. Strong oscillations due to the 24, 12, and 8 hr atmospheric tides were also observed in both wind components. The inferred vertical wavelengths were large, even for the diurnal tide. On the nights of 22 and 25 March, when airborne lidar observations were made in the vicinity of Christmas Island, the prevailing and tidal winds combined to produce especially strong westward winds ({minus}100 ms{sup {minus}1}). Gravity wave activity was also high during March/April, especially for short period waves, although considerable day-to-day variability was noted.},
doi = {10.1029/91GL01226},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5518464}, journal = {Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)},
issn = {0094-8276},
number = ,
volume = 18:7,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991},
month = {Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991}
}