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Tidal variability of the geomagnetic polar cap mesopause above Resolute Bay
Author(s) -
Fisher Genene M.,
Killeen Timothy L.,
Wu Qian,
Hays Paul B.,
Reeves J. M.
Publication year - 1999
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 - 10.1029/1999gl900046
Subject(s) - mesopause , zonal and meridional , earth's magnetic field , atmospheric sciences , atmospheric tide , geology , climatology , bay , meridional flow , mesosphere , stratosphere , oceanography , physics , ionosphere , thermosphere , geophysics , magnetic field , quantum mechanics
Variability in the geomagnetic polar cap neutral wind near the mesopause above Resolute Bay, Canada (74.9°N, 94.9°W) has been observed by a Fabry‐Perot Interferometer, using a circle‐to‐line detection technique (FPI/CLIO) to observe the OH Meinel emission. We present an analysis of the first wind measurements obtained with the FPI/CLIO from December 1995 to March 1996. The OH(7,3) (892.0 nm) Doppler winds were analyzed for tidal oscillations (defined herein as oscillations with periods which are sub‐harmonics of a solar day). Daily spectral analysis, using 50 relatively clear days showed that oscillations between, and including, 12 h and 8 h were frequent throughout the winter season in both the meridional and the zonal winds. A non‐linear least squares fit, performed on the data from the Jan 22–30 interval, revealed that a 12 h tidal feature was dominant. Observations of the OH neutral winds show variations indicating strong tidal wave activity at the mesopause.