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Local vertical motions and kinetic temperature from AE‐C as evidence for aurora‐induced gravity waves
Author(s) -
Spencer N. W.,
Theis R. F.,
Wharton L. E.,
Carignan G. R.
Publication year - 1976
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/gl003i006p00313
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , gravity wave , kinetic energy , geophysics , mean kinetic temperature , atmospheric sciences , physics , potential temperature , gravitational wave , computational physics , geology , geodesy , meteorology , atomic physics , astrophysics , classical mechanics
In situ measurements of local vertical neutral particle motions have been made using the Neutral Atmosphere Temperature Instrument (NATE) on Atmosphere Explorer‐C from observations of the direction of flow of neutral particles into the antechamber of the sensor (mass spectrometer). Values ranging from a few to more than 80 meters per second have been observed. The data show vertical motions greater than a few meters per second to be present most of the time, the magnitude being a function of many factors including magnetic activity, location, and magnetic storm history. In a specific case, it is concluded that the observed vertical motions and kinetic temperature are evidence of a travelling disturbance originating as a gravity wave in the auroral zone.