MAUI/MALT: Studies of High Frequency Atmospheric Gravity Waves in Mesospheric Airglows

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

The investigators will measure and study the atmospheric gravity wave structure and flux into the mesosphere at Maui. The structure observed in OH airglow imagery will be used to calculate the vertical flux of horizontal momentum carried by gravity waves with large vertical wavelengths. The instrument to be used consists of a broadband, single filter, OH imager with the large light gathering power. Airglow imagers are uniquely capable of measuring gravity waves with large phase speeds that carry the major portion of the wave momentum flux in the mesosphere. The airglow measurements will be combined with wind measurements from a lidar and meteor radar collocated at the Maui site. A secondary objective is to make measurements of, and study the sign of, the vertical direction these short horizontal scale waves are propagating. Upward propagating momentum may be cancelled by downward propagating waves. These observations will contribute information useful for the study of energy deposition by gravity waves and their effects on global change processes.