CEDAR Postdoc: A Numerical Study on Time-Dependent Effects of Ducting

Clemson University, Clemson SC

Investigators

Abstract

This award will support a post-doctoral researcher for two years to investigate the temporal evolution of gravity wave ducting the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region using a two-dimensional model to perform numerical simulations. The model will include the effects of molecular and eddy diffusion to simulate the wave dissipation. Earlier studies of wave ducting in the lower thermosphere thermal duct show excellent results compared with the observations. However, the earlier results were based on models that assumed the existence of monochromatic waves superimposed on a steady mean-state atmosphere. This approach is oversimplified. The new model will provide the temporal evolution of ducting in a time-dependent atmosphere.