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Intense turbulence observed above a mesospheric temperature inversion at equatorial latitude
Author(s) -
Lehmacher G. A.,
Croskey C. L.,
Mitchell J. D.,
Friedrich M.,
Lübken F.J.,
Rapp M.,
Kudeki E.,
Fritts D. C.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1029/2005gl024345
Subject(s) - sounding rocket , turbulence , atmospheric sciences , depth sounding , temperature gradient , dissipation , mesosphere , adiabatic process , plasma , latitude , physics , mixed layer , lapse rate , thermal , density gradient , turbulence kinetic energy , geophysics , environmental science , geology , meteorology , thermodynamics , astronomy , oceanography , stratosphere , quantum mechanics
Results from a sounding rocket experiment launched on September 19, 2004 from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands are reported. A large modulation of the temperature profile in the upper mesosphere was observed with a local maximum at 92 km, 40 K warmer than 2 km below. The temperature gradient between 92 and 102 km was near‐adiabatic, suggesting strong mixing. Turbulence was observed in the lower part of the mixed layer, as evidenced by neutral and plasma density fluctuations on both the upleg and downleg portions of the flight. The plasma density gradient was less steep in the mixed region. The turbulent energy dissipation rate was found to be 170 mW/kg. The thermal structure can be described as an upper mesospheric inversion layer, possibly caused by enhanced wave breaking or turbulent heat transport.