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Simultaneous observation of convective adjustment and turbulence generation in the mesosphere
Author(s) -
Lehmacher Gerald,
Lübken FranzJosef
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.1029/95gl02351
Subject(s) - turbulence , mesosphere , atmospheric sciences , convection , middle latitudes , lapse rate , thermosphere , physics , rocket (weapon) , f region , environmental science , meteorology , ionosphere , geophysics , stratosphere , geography , archaeology
We present simultaneous in situ measurements of turbulence and temperature in the midlatitude mesosphere obtained as part of the DYANA campaign on March 13, 1990 at Biscarrosse, France (44°N, 1°W). In this study, we have extended the temperature measurements of our rocket borne ionization gauge down to 70 km and directly compared them to the small scale density fluctuations. Between 74 and 81 km we observed a unique, sawtooth shape layer in the temperature profile with a slightly superadiabatic lapse rate. In the same region, strong turbulent density fluctuations were present. We interpret these observations as convective adjustment and associated turbulence.