Gravity wave spectra in the middle atmosphere as observed by Rayleigh lidar

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i010p01585· OSTI ID:6252779

Wilson, R; Hauchecorne, A; Chanin, M L ^[1]

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1. Service d'Aeronomie du CNRS, Verrieres le Buisson (France)

Rayleigh lidar offers the unique ability to make routine measurements of temperature (or density) mesoscale fluctuations in the 30 to 75 km altitude range. Power spectra of density and temperature fluctuations, versus vertical wavenumber and (apparent) frequency, are derived from lidar measurements. These spectra are interpreted in the framework of the gravity wave theory. Power spectral density increases from the stratosphere to the mesosphere in the entire accessible spectral range. Comparison with vertical spectra obtained with various sounding systems indicates a dispersion of the temperature power spectra in the stratosphere as an increase with altitude of the ratio of potential to kinetic energy.

• OSTI ID: 6252779
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 17:10; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AIRSHIPS
ALTITUDE
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
BACKSCATTERING
BALLOONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA ANALYSIS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUCTUATIONS
FUNCTIONS
GRAVITY WAVES
LASERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MESOSPHERE
OPTICAL RADAR
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
ROCKETS
SCATTERING
SPECTRAL DENSITY
SPECTRAL FUNCTIONS
STRATOSPHERE
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
VARIATIONS
WIND