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Resolving ambiguities in gravity wave propagation directions inherent in satellite observations: A simulation study
Author(s) -
Hickey Michael P.,
Brown Jason S.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl011331
Subject(s) - airglow , thermosphere , gravity wave , brightness , wavelength , physics , gravitational wave , atmospheric wave , atmospheric models , wave propagation , optics , computational physics , geophysics , ionosphere , astrophysics
We simulate space‐based, sub‐limb viewing observations of airglow brightness fluctuations caused by atmospheric gravity wave interactions with the O 2 atmospheric airglow, and we demonstrate that, due to the geometry associated with such observations, the brightness fluctuations observed for the optically thick 0–0 band emission will always appear stronger for waves traveling towards the observer (satellite). The effect should be most noticeable for waves having relatively small vertical wavelengths (∼10 km) and horizontal wavelengths of 50 km or greater. For waves of short (∼100 km) horizontal wavelength, the brightness fluctuation anisotropy with respect to viewing direction may also be evident in the optically thin 0–1 band emission. Therefore, the 180° ambiguity in wave propagation direction associated with space‐based observations may be eliminated for waves dissipating in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere.

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