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Using PFISR measurements and gravity wave dissipative theory to determine the neutral, background thermospheric winds
Author(s) -
Vadas Sharon L.,
Nicolls Michael J.
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1029/2007gl031522
Subject(s) - thermosphere , dissipative system , gravity wave , physics , wavelength , dissipation , gravitational wave , daytime , atmospheric sciences , computational physics , wave propagation , geophysics , optics , ionosphere , astrophysics , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
Understanding the propagation and dissipation of an atmospheric gravity wave (GW) in the thermosphere requires an accurate dissipative GW dispersion relation, the GW's horizontal wavelength and period, and the background neutral winds and temperatures. Conversely, if the GW's horizontal wavelength, period, and vertically‐varying vertical wavelengths are known instead along with the background temperatures, then the background, horizontal neutral winds along the GW propagation direction can be calculated using GW dissipative theory. Recent daytime observations using the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR) located in Poker Flat, Alaska, the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR), have obtained these latter parameters. Using PFISR data for a GW on December 13, 2006, we calculate the average, background, horizontal neutral winds at z ∼ 160–240 km.