Creation of Polar Mesospheric Summer Echo Layers

Northwest Research Associates, Incorporated, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will investigate the processes of formation and evolution of polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE) and mesospheric summer echoes (MSE). Non-turbulent and weakly turbulent PMSE and MSE events will be investigated through a combination of modeling studies and observational data from radar and rocket-based instrumentation. Rocket data will provide ion, electron, and temperature profiles at very high vertical resolution which can be used to constrain the modeling problems. The anticipated outcomes of this project are a comprehensive understanding of PMSE and MSE formation and structure and interpretation of rocket and radar data, which will lead to enhanced design of experiments and instruments.