Dynamics of the equatorial mesosphere observed using the Jicamarca MST radar during June and August 1987

Journal Article · Tue Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1992)049<2353:DOTEMO>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6721229

Fritts, D C; Yuan, L ^[1]; Hitchman, M H ^[2]; Coy, L ^[3]; Kudeki, E ^[4]; Woodman, R F ^[5]

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1. Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks (United States)
2. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (United States)
3. St. Louis Univ., MO (United States)
4. Univ. of Illinois, Champaign (United States)
5. Radio Observatorio de Jicamarca, Lima (Peru)

The Jicamarca MST radar used in two campaigns during June and August 1987 to measure wave influences, flow variability, and mean structure in the equatorial stratosphere and mesosphere. This paper presents observations of motions and momentum fluxes in the mesosphere during each campaign. A companion paper by Hitchman et al. addresses the mean structure and fluxes as well as comparisons with other datasets. Results presented here indicate that the equatorial mesosphere is dynamically very active, with considerable gravity-wave and tidal motions and persuasive evidence of inertial instability and wave-filtering processes. Vertical velocities at high frequencies are comparable to those observed at other locations. Hourly mean horizontal motions and momentum fluxes are likewise large and variable, exhibiting enormous vertical shears and strong modulation of the wave spectrum and momentum fluxes at hihger frequencies. Daily mean profiles reveal persistent structures with vertical scales of [approximately]6 - 10 km, vertical shears of the meridional velocity of [approximately]0.03 s[sup [minus]1], and large mean momentum fluxes. Also discussed are the implications of these observations for wave forcing and instability in the equatorial middle atmosphere. 67 refs., 14 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6721229
• Journal Information: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; (United States), Vol. 49:24; ISSN 0022-4928
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
MESOSPHERE
DYNAMICS
RADAR
DIAGNOSTIC USES
STRATOSPHERE
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
COMPILED DATA
DAILY VARIATIONS
EQUATOR
GRAVITY WAVES
PERU
VELOCITY
DATA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
INFORMATION
LATIN AMERICA
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL DATA
RANGE FINDERS
SOUTH AMERICA
USES
VARIATIONS
540110*