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Gravity wave spectra in the middle atmosphere as observed by Rayleigh lidar
Author(s) -
Wilson R.,
Hauchecorne A.,
Chanin M. L.
Publication year - 1990
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/gl017i010p01585
Subject(s) - stratosphere , gravity wave , lidar , spectral line , mesosphere , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere (unit) , rayleigh scattering , mesoscale meteorology , spectral density , altitude (triangle) , depth sounding , range (aeronautics) , troposphere , wavenumber , mesopause , atmospheric wave , computational physics , gravitational wave , physics , geology , meteorology , optics , materials science , astrophysics , astronomy , statistics , geometry , mathematics , oceanography , composite material
Rayleigh lidar offers the unique ability to make routine measurements of temperature (or density) mesoscale fluctuations in the 30 to 75 km altitude range. Power spectra of density and temperature fluctuations, versus vertical wavenumber and (apparent) frequency, are derived from lidar measurements. These spectra are interpreted in the framework of the gravity wave theory. Power spectral density increases from the stratosphere to the mesosphere in the entire accessible spectral range. Comparison with vertical spectra obtained with various sounding systems indicates a dispersion of the temperature power spectra in the stratosphere as an increase with altitude of the ratio of potential to kinetic energy.