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High‐resolution VHF radar observations of turbulence structures in the mesosphere
Author(s) -
Röttger J.,
Rastogi P. K.,
Woodman R. F.
Publication year - 1979
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/gl006i007p00617
Subject(s) - turbulence , radar , geology , mesosphere , clear air turbulence , meteorology , resolution (logic) , remote sensing , geophysics , atmospheric sciences , physics , stratosphere , aerospace engineering , artificial intelligence , computer science , engineering
Results from a study of mesospheric turbulence, using a VHF radar with a height resolution of 150 m, are presented. Three types of turbulence structures have been identified: blobs, sheets and layers. Blobs and sheets occurred sporadically, predominantly at heights of 60–70 km. Above 70 km, layers thicker than 1 km were dominant, which were advected with the background wind. Velocity fluctuations in these structures were proportional to their thickness. The role of partial or Fresnel reflections is discussed and possibility of diffuse reflections below 70 km is noted. Problems in estimating transport coefficients from radar data are outlined.