Articles | Volume 14, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6821-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6821-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
22 Oct 2021
Research article |
| 22 Oct 2021
| 22 Oct 2021
Gravity wave instability structures and turbulence from more than 1.5 years of OH* airglow imager observations in Slovenia
René Sedlak
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
Patrick Hannawald
Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center,
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Carsten Schmidt
German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center,
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Sabine Wüst
German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center,
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Michael Bittner
Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center,
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Samo Stanič
Center for Astrophysics and Cosmology, University of Nova Gorica,
Ajdovščina, Slovenia
Related authors
René Sedlak, Andreas Welscher, Patrick Hannawald, Sabine Wüst, Rainer Lienhart, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3141–3153, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3141-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3141-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We show that machine learning can help in classifying images of the OH* airglow, a thin layer in the middle atmosphere (ca. 86 km height) emitting infrared radiation, in an efficient way. By doing this,
dynamicepisodes of strong movement in the OH* airglow caused predominantly by waves can be extracted automatically from large data sets. Within these dynamic episodes, turbulent wave breaking can also be found. We use these observations of turbulence to derive the energy released by waves.
René Sedlak, Alexandra Zuhr, Carsten Schmidt, Sabine Wüst, Michael Bittner, Goderdzi G. Didebulidze, and Colin Price
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 5117–5128, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5117-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5117-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Gravity wave (GW) activity in the UMLT in the period range 6-480 min is calculated by applying a wavelet analysis to nocturnal temperature time series derived from OH* airglow spectrometers. We analyse measurements from eight different locations at different latitudes.
GW activity shows strong period dependence. We find hardly any seasonal variability for periods below 60 min and a semi-annual cycle for periods longer than 60 min that evolves into an annual cycle around a period of 200 min.
Patrick Hannawald, Carsten Schmidt, René Sedlak, Sabine Wüst, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 457–469, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-457-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-457-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We use a near-infrared camera for the investigation of gravity waves. The camera observes the airglow layer, which is modulated by the gravity waves. The image processing, including the removal of the stars is explained. We describe the analysis with a 2D fast Fourier transform and automatic derivation of the wave parameters. The results show a clear seasonal and intra-diurnal variability, which is characterised in order to improve our understanding of gravity waves in the middle atmosphere.
René Sedlak, Patrick Hannawald, Carsten Schmidt, Sabine Wüst, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5955–5963, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5955-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5955-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper a SWIR airglow imager is presented. It is especially designed for the observation of small-scale gravity waves and turbulence features in the OH airglow layer with a high spatio-temporal resolution of up to 17 m (at mesopause heights) and 2.5 to 2.8 s. Two case studies show small-scale wave structures with horizontal wavelengths of approximately 550 m as well as vortex formation and decomposition of wave fronts, both indicating the onset of turbulence.
Stefan Noll, Carsten Schmidt, Patrick Hannawald, Wolfgang Kausch, and Stefan Kimeswenger
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 4353–4398, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4353-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4353-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Non-thermal emission from chemical reactions in the Earth's middle und upper atmosphere strongly contributes to the brightness of the night sky below about 2.3 µm. The new Paranal Airglow Line And Continuum Emission model calculates the emission spectrum and its variability with an unprecedented accuracy. Relying on a large spectroscopic data set from astronomical spectrographs and theoretical molecular/atomic data, this model is valuable for airglow research and astronomical observatories.
Sabine Wüst, Lisa Küchelbacher, Franziska Trinkl, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 1591–1607, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1591-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1591-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Information on the energy transported by atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) is crucial for improving atmosphere models. Most space-based studies report the potential energy. We use Aeolus wind data to estimate the kinetic energy (density). However, the data quality is a challenge for such analyses, as the accuracy of the data is in the range of typical GW amplitudes. We find a temporal coincidence between enhanced or breaking planetary waves and enhanced gravity wave kinetic energy density.
Stefan Noll, John M. C. Plane, Wuhu Feng, Konstantinos S. Kalogerakis, Wolfgang Kausch, Carsten Schmidt, Michael Bittner, and Stefan Kimeswenger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1143–1176, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1143-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1143-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The Earth's nighttime radiation in the range from the near-UV to the near-IR mainly originates between 75 and 105 km and consists of lines of different species, which are important indicators of the chemistry and dynamics at these altitudes. Based on astronomical spectra, we have characterised the structure and variability of a pseudo-continuum of a high number of faint lines and discovered a new emission process in the near-IR. By means of simulations, we identified HO2 as the likely emitter.
Carsten Schmidt, Lisa Küchelbacher, Sabine Wüst, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4331–4356, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4331-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4331-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Two identical instruments in a parallel setup were used to observe the mesospheric OH airglow for more than 10 years (2009–2020) at 47.42°N, 10.98°E. This allows unique analyses of data quality aspects and their impact on the obtained results. During solar cycle 24 the influence of the sun was strong (∼6 K per 100 sfu). A quasi-2-year oscillation (QBO) of ±1 K is observed mainly during the maximum of the solar cycle. Unlike the stratospheric QBO the variation has a period of or below 24 months.
René Sedlak, Andreas Welscher, Patrick Hannawald, Sabine Wüst, Rainer Lienhart, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3141–3153, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3141-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3141-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We show that machine learning can help in classifying images of the OH* airglow, a thin layer in the middle atmosphere (ca. 86 km height) emitting infrared radiation, in an efficient way. By doing this,
dynamicepisodes of strong movement in the OH* airglow caused predominantly by waves can be extracted automatically from large data sets. Within these dynamic episodes, turbulent wave breaking can also be found. We use these observations of turbulence to derive the energy released by waves.
Sabine Wüst, Michael Bittner, Patrick J. Espy, W. John R. French, and Frank J. Mulligan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1599–1618, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1599-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1599-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Ground-based OH* airglow measurements have been carried out for almost 100 years. Advanced detector technology has greatly simplified the automatic operation of OH* airglow observing instruments and significantly improved the temporal and/or spatial resolution. Studies based on long-term measurements or including a network of instruments are reviewed, especially in the context of deriving gravity wave properties. Scientific and technical challenges for the next few years are described.
Asta Gregorič, Luka Drinovec, Irena Ježek, Janja Vaupotič, Matevž Lenarčič, Domen Grauf, Longlong Wang, Maruška Mole, Samo Stanič, and Griša Močnik
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14139–14162, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14139-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14139-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new method for the determination of highly time-resolved and source-separated black carbon emission rates. The atmospheric dynamics is quantified using the atmospheric radon concentration. Different intensity and daily dynamics of black carbon emission rates for two different environments are presented: urban and rural area. The method can be used to assess the efficiency of pollution mitigation measures, thereby avoiding the influence of variable meteorology.
Sabine Wüst, Michael Bittner, Jeng-Hwa Yee, Martin G. Mlynczak, and James M. Russell III
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 6067–6093, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6067-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6067-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
With airglow spectrometers, the temperature in the upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere can be derived each night. The data allow to estimate the amount of energy which is transported by small-scale atmospheric waves, known as gravity waves. In order to do this, information about the Brunt–Väisälä frequency and its evolution during the year is necessary. This is provided here for low and midlatitudes based on 18 years of satellite data.
René Sedlak, Alexandra Zuhr, Carsten Schmidt, Sabine Wüst, Michael Bittner, Goderdzi G. Didebulidze, and Colin Price
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 5117–5128, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5117-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5117-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Gravity wave (GW) activity in the UMLT in the period range 6-480 min is calculated by applying a wavelet analysis to nocturnal temperature time series derived from OH* airglow spectrometers. We analyse measurements from eight different locations at different latitudes.
GW activity shows strong period dependence. We find hardly any seasonal variability for periods below 60 min and a semi-annual cycle for periods longer than 60 min that evolves into an annual cycle around a period of 200 min.
Sabine Wüst, Carsten Schmidt, Patrick Hannawald, Michael Bittner, Martin G. Mlynczak, and James M. Russell III
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 6401–6418, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6401-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6401-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
In winter 2016, the camera system FAIM derived information about the OH* airglow at ca. 86 km height during six flights on board the research aircraft FALCON in northern Scandinavia. Coincident ground- and satellite-based measurements (GRIPS and TIMED-SABER) complete the data set. The data are analysed with respect to the temporal and spatial evolution of small-scale atmospheric dynamics just before a minor stratospheric warming. Special emphasis is placed on possible instability features.
Patrick Hannawald, Carsten Schmidt, René Sedlak, Sabine Wüst, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 457–469, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-457-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-457-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We use a near-infrared camera for the investigation of gravity waves. The camera observes the airglow layer, which is modulated by the gravity waves. The image processing, including the removal of the stars is explained. We describe the analysis with a 2D fast Fourier transform and automatic derivation of the wave parameters. The results show a clear seasonal and intra-diurnal variability, which is characterised in order to improve our understanding of gravity waves in the middle atmosphere.
Sabine Wüst, Thomas Offenwanger, Carsten Schmidt, Michael Bittner, Christoph Jacobi, Gunter Stober, Jeng-Hwa Yee, Martin G. Mlynczak, and James M. Russell III
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 2937–2947, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2937-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2937-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
OH*-spectrometer measurements allow the analysis of gravity wave ground-based periods, but spatial information cannot necessarily be deduced. We combine the approach of Wachter at al. (2015) in order to derive horizontal wavelengths (but based on only one OH* spectrometer) with additional information about wind and temperature and compute vertical wavelengths. Knowledge of these parameters is a precondition for the calculation of further information such as the wave group velocity.
Sabine Wüst, Michael Bittner, Jeng-Hwa Yee, Martin G. Mlynczak, and James M. Russell III
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4895–4903, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4895-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4895-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In the Alpine region, the most dense subnetwork of identical NDMC (Network for the Detection of Mesospheric Change) instruments can be found. With these instruments the mesopause temperature is derived each night. The data can be used for the investigation of the amount of energy which is transported by small-scale atmospheric waves, known as gravity waves, provided that the so-called Brunt–Väisälä frequency is known. Information about the variability of this parameter is provided here.
Sabine Wüst, Verena Wendt, Ricarda Linz, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 3453–3462, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-3453-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-3453-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Cubic splines with equidistant spline sampling points are a common method in atmospheric science for the approximation of background conditions by means of filtering superimposed fluctuations from a data series. However, splines can generate considerable artificial oscillations in the background and the residuals. We introduce a repeating spline approach which is able to significantly reduce this phenomenon and to apply it to TIMED-SABER vertical temperature profiles from 2010 to 2014.
René Sedlak, Patrick Hannawald, Carsten Schmidt, Sabine Wüst, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5955–5963, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5955-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5955-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper a SWIR airglow imager is presented. It is especially designed for the observation of small-scale gravity waves and turbulence features in the OH airglow layer with a high spatio-temporal resolution of up to 17 m (at mesopause heights) and 2.5 to 2.8 s. Two case studies show small-scale wave structures with horizontal wavelengths of approximately 550 m as well as vortex formation and decomposition of wave fronts, both indicating the onset of turbulence.
Patrick Hannawald, Carsten Schmidt, Sabine Wüst, and Michael Bittner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1461–1472, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1461-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1461-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a ground-based, short-wave infrared camera system for measurements of the OH airglow originating in the middle atmosphere. The camera has a high temporal and spatial resolution of 0.5 s and 200 m (at 90 km height), which allows for detailed observations of atmospheric waves and other transient phenomena. Details regarding the instrument, calibration and preprocessing are discussed exemplarily for an event of two superposing gravity waves with associated instability structures.
Related subject area
Subject: Others (Wind, Precipitation, Temperature, etc.) | Technique: Remote Sensing | Topic: Instruments and Platforms
Characterization of surface clutter signal in the presence of orography for a spaceborne conically scanning W-band Doppler radar
Spectral performance analysis of the Fizeau interferometer on board ESA's Aeolus wind lidar satellite
Tracking traveling ionospheric disturbances through Doppler-shifted AM radio transmissions
Calibration of Weather Radars with a Target Simulator
Feasibility of a space-borne terahertz heterodyne spectrometer for atomic oxygen and temperature in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere
Chilean Observation Network De Meteor Radars (CONDOR): multi-static system configuration and wind comparison with co-located lidar
ScintPi measurements of low-latitude ionospheric irregularity drifts using the spaced-receiver technique and SBAS signals
The Atmospheric Sounder Spectrometer by Infrared Spectral Technology (ASSIST): Instrument design and signal processing
Quantitative error analysis of polarimetric phased-array radar weather measurements to reveal radar performance and configuration potential
Optimization of a direct-detection UV wind lidar architecture for 3D wind reconstruction at high altitude
The GRAS-2 radio occultation mission
Exploring the Potential of Aerial and Balloon-Based Observations in the Study of Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes
The ALOMAR Rayleigh/Mie/Raman lidar: status after 30 years of operation
The Far-INfrarEd Spectrometer for Surface Emissivity (FINESSE) – Part 1: Instrument description and level 1 radiances
Evaluation of the effects of different lightning protection rods on the data quality of C-band weather radars
Wind comparisons between meteor radar and Doppler shifts in airglow emissions using field-widened Michelson interferometers
A new dual-frequency stratospheric–tropospheric and meteor radar: system description and first results
The Doppler wind, temperature, and aerosol RMR lidar system at Kühlungsborn, Germany – Part 1: Technical specifications and capabilities
Directly measuring the power-law exponent and kinetic energy of atmospheric turbulence using coherent Doppler wind lidar
3D wind observations with a compact mobile lidar based on tropo- and stratospheric aerosol backscatter
A novel infrared imager for studies of hydroxyl and oxygen nightglow emissions in the mesopause above northern Scandinavia
Absolute radiance calibration in the UV and visible spectral range using atmospheric observations during twilight
Measurement uncertainties of scanning microwave radiometers and their influence on temperature profiling
Advancing airborne Doppler lidar wind profiling in turbulent boundary layer flow – an LES-based optimization of traditional scanning-beam versus novel fixed-beam measurement systems
Observing atmospheric convection with dual-scanning lidars
Evaluation of error components in rainfall retrieval from collocated commercial microwave links
In-orbit cross-calibration of millimeter conically scanning spaceborne radars
The Far-Infrared Radiation Mobile Observation System (FIRMOS) for spectral characterization of the atmospheric emission
Calibrating radar wind profiler reflectivity factor using surface disdrometer observations
Pseudorandom modulation continuous-wave narrowband sodium temperature and wind lidar
Stratospheric temperature measurements from nanosatellite stellar occultation observations of refractive bending
Airborne coherent wind lidar measurements of the momentum flux profile from orographically induced gravity waves
GNSS radio occultation soundings from commercial off-the-shelf receivers on board balloon platforms
Complementarity of wind measurements from co-located X-band weather radar and Doppler lidar
Evaluation of the New York State Mesonet Profiler Network data
Quantification of motion-induced measurement error on floating lidar systems
Observation error analysis for the WInd VElocity Radar Nephoscope W-band Doppler conically scanning spaceborne radar via end-to-end simulations
Evaluating convective planetary boundary layer height estimations resolved by both active and passive remote sensing instruments during the CHEESEHEAD19 field campaign
Atmospheric precipitable water vapor and its correlation with clear-sky infrared temperature observations
Spectral performance analysis of the Aeolus Fabry–Pérot and Fizeau interferometers during the first years of operation
Moderate spectral resolution solar irradiance measurements, aerosol optical depth, and solar transmission, from 360 to 1070 nm, using the refurbished rotating shadow band spectroradiometer (RSS)
Mitigation of bias sources for atmospheric temperature and humidity in the mobile Raman Weather and Aerosol Lidar (WALI)
ALADIN laser frequency stability and its impact on the Aeolus wind error
A compact static birefringent interferometer for the measurement of upper atmospheric winds: concept, design and lab performance
The COTUR project: remote sensing of offshore turbulence for wind energy application
Characterization of dark current signal measurements of the ACCDs used on board the Aeolus satellite
Relationship between wind observation accuracy and the ascending node of the sun-synchronous orbit for the Aeolus-type spaceborne Doppler wind lidar
A new lidar design for operational atmospheric wind and cloud/aerosol survey from space
VAHCOLI, a new concept for lidars: technical setup, science applications, and first measurements
A Compact Rayleigh Autonomous Lidar (CORAL) for the middle atmosphere
Francesco Manconi, Alessandro Battaglia, and Pavlos Kollias
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2295–2310, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2295-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2295-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The paper aims to study the ground reflection, or clutter, of the signal from a spaceborne radar in the context of ESA's WIVERN (WInd VElocity Radar Nephoscop) mission, which will observe in-cloud winds. Using topography and land type data, with a model of the satellite orbit and rotating antenna, simulations of scans have been run over the Piedmont region of Italy. These measurements cover the full range of the ground clutter over land for WIVERN and have allowed for analyses of the precision and accuracy of velocity observations.
Michael Vaughan, Kevin Ridley, Benjamin Witschas, Oliver Lux, Ines Nikolaus, and Oliver Reitebuch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2149–2181, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2149-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2149-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
ESA's Aeolus mission, launched in 2018, has exceeded expectations, providing valuable global wind lidar data for nearly 5 years. Its data have improved weather forecasting, with Mie-cloudy winds proving to be especially precise. Challenges have emerged, such as unexpected misalignments in signal angles and reduced signal levels due to beam clipping and laser issues. Lessons from Aeolus highlight the need for better optical alignment and active control systems for future lidar missions.
Claire C. Trop, James LaBelle, Philip J. Erickson, Shun-Rong Zhang, David McGaw, and Terrence Kovacs
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 1909–1925, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1909-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1909-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are manifestations of atmospheric waves that are significant for the transfer of energy and momentum between atmospheric layers and regions. This work demonstrates that velocities and directions of TIDs can be measured by monitoring the tiny shift in frequency of AM radio signals when they reflect from a moving ionosphere and that this method can be scaled to use large numbers of radio receivers and transmitters to monitor TIDs on a continental scale.
Marc Schneebeli, Andreas Leuenberger, Philipp J. Schmid, Jacopo Grazioli, Heather Corden, Alexis Berne, Patrick Kennedy, Jim George, Francesc Junyent, and V. Chandrasekar
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1702, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1702, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A new technique for the end-to-end calibration of weather radars is introduced. Highly precise artificial radar targets are generated with a radar target simulator and serve as a calibration reference for weather radar observables like reflectivity and Doppler velocity. The system allows to investigate and correct any biases associated with weather radar observations.
Peder Bagge Hansen, Martin Wienold, and Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3648, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3648, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this numerical study, we assess the feasibility of a satellite-borne instrument for measuring the atomic oxygen concentration and temperature in the upper atmosphere by detecting its emission in the terahertz range. We simulate the measurement scenario considering technological feasibility and state-of-the-art atmosphere models. We find that both atomic oxygen and temperature could be accurately measured from an altitude of 100 km up to at least 200 km with such an instrument.
Zishun Qiao, Alan Z. Liu, Gunter Stober, Javier Fuentes, Fabio Vargas, Christian L. Adami, and Iain M. Reid
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 1091–1104, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1091-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1091-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes the installation of the Chilean Observation Network De Meteor Radars (CONDOR) and its initial results. The routine winds are point-to-point comparable to the co-located lidar winds. The retrievals of spatially resolved horizontal wind fields and vertical winds are also facilitated, benefiting from the extensive meteor detections. The successful deployment and maintenance of CONDOR provide 24/7 and state-of-the-art wind measurements to the research community.
Josemaria Gomez Socola, Fabiano S. Rodrigues, Isaac G. Wright, Igo Paulino, and Ricardo Buriti
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 909–919, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-909-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-909-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
New low-cost, off-the-shelf Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers enable the estimation of zonal ionospheric irregularity drifts using the scintillation spaced-receiver technique, previously tested only with commercial GNSS receivers. Despite their low C/No resolution (1 dB-Hz), we demonstrate that the recorded raw data can be used to estimate irregularity drifts. Further, our observations are consistent with the behavior of an empirical model of the thermospheric winds (HMW14).
Vincent Michaud-Belleau, Michel Gaudreau, Jean Lacoursière, Éric Boisvert, Lalaina Ravelomanantsoa, David D. Turner, and Luc Rochette
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3617, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3617, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The ASSIST is a commercially-available ground-based infrared spectroradiometer. It is designed for automated and passive measurement of the thermal radiation emitted by the atmosphere, providing information about the vertical distribution of temperature and humidity, trace gases, clouds, and aerosols in the boundary layer. In this paper, we outline the key characteristics of the ASSIST hardware and signal processing algorithm that yields downwelling radiance spectra in near real-time.
Junho Ho, Zhe Li, and Guifu Zhang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 619–638, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-619-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-619-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study quantitatively analyzes and compares weather measurements from planar (PPPAR) and cylindrical polarimetric phased-array radars (CPPARs). It examines data quality and potential problems and clarifies misunderstandings between configurations. The findings highlight 2D PPPARs' challenges in making accurate weather measurements when the beam steers off broadside. The CPPAR shows promise in obtaining high-quality polarimetric data due to its azimuthal scan-invariant beam characteristics.
Thibault Boulant, Tomline Michel, and Matthieu Valla
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 7049–7064, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-7049-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-7049-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a design of a UV wind lidar, made with a UV fiber laser and a Quadri Mach-Zehnder interferometer as a spectral analyzer, used to measure the wind in front of future low-consumption aircraft. The article details the optimization of the different elements of the instrument with simulations. This paper also presents a method to optimize laser angles for determining wind direction and strength and shows a 50 % improvement over the current angles used.
Joel Rasch, Anders Carlström, Jacob Christensen, and Thomas Liljegren
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 6213–6222, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6213-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6213-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Soon the MetOp Second Generation (Metop-SG) series of polar orbiting meteorological satellites will be launched. On these satellites, the GRAS-2 instrument will be mounted. It will provide GNSS radio occultation measurements with unsurpassed accuracy. The occultation measurements are used routinely for numerical weather prognosis, i.e. predicting the weather. In this paper, we describe the design of this new instrument and the novel methods developed to process the data.
Marek Sommer, Tomáš Czakoj, Iva Ambrožová, Martin Kákona, Olena Velychko, and Ondřej Ploc
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2789, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2789, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work studies powerful bursts of radiation, called Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes, which happen during thunderstorms. It explores the use of planes and weather balloons as platforms for radiation detectors to gather data about this phenomenon. Using computer simulations, it was found that balloons might work better for high-altitude storms, while planes could be useful for lower ones. Moreover, the influence of the Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flash strength and its altitude of origin was revealed.
Jens Fiedler and Gerd Baumgarten
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 5841–5859, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5841-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5841-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This article describes the current status of a lidar installed at ALOMAR in northern Norway. It has investigated the Arctic middle atmosphere on a climatological basis for 30 years. We discuss major upgrades of the system implemented during recent years, including methods for reliable remote operation of this complex lidar. We also show examples that illustrate the performance of the lidar during measurements at different altitude ranges and timescales.
Jonathan E. Murray, Laura Warwick, Helen Brindley, Alan Last, Patrick Quigley, Andy Rochester, Alexander Dewar, and Daniel Cummins
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4757–4775, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4757-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4757-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The Far INfrarEd Spectrometer for Surface Emissivity, FINESSE, is designed to measure the ability of natural surfaces to emit infrared radiation. FINESSE combines a commercial instrument with custom-built optics to view a surface from different angles with complementary views of the sky. Its choice of internal components means it can cover a wide range of wavelengths, extending into the far-infrared. We characterize FINESSE’s uncertainty budget and provide examples of its measurement capability.
Cornelius Hald, Maximilian Schaper, Annette Böhm, Michael Frech, Jan Petersen, Bertram Lange, and Benjamin Rohrdantz
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4695–4707, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4695-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4695-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Weather radars should use lightning protection to be safe from damage, but the rods can reduce the quality of the radar measurements. This study presents three new solutions for lightning protection for weather radars and evaluates their influence on data quality. The results are compared to the current system. All tested ones have very little effect on data, and a new lightning protection system with four rods is recommended for the German Meteorological Service.
Samuel K. Kristoffersen, William E. Ward, and Chris E. Meek
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3995–4014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3995-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3995-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, the relationship between observations from two instruments, a meteor radar and a field-widened Michelson interferometer (ERWIN) which provide complementary information on this region, is investigated. On average the ratio of ERWIN winds to meteor radar winds is ∼ 0.7. Differences between the wind observations may be caused by variations in the airglow brightness associated with dissipating gravity waves.
Qingchen Xu, Iain Murray Reid, Bing Cai, Christian Adami, Zengmao Zhang, Mingliang Zhao, and Wen Li
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 2957–2975, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2957-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2957-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To have better understanding of the dynamics of the lower and middle atmosphere, we installed a newly designed dual-frequency radar system that uses 53.8 MHz for near-ground to 20 km wind measurements and 35.0 MHz for 70 to 100 km wind measurements. The initial results show its good performance, along with the analysis of typical winter gravity wave activities.
Michael Gerding, Robin Wing, Eframir Franco-Diaz, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Fiedler, Torsten Köpnick, and Reik Ostermann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 2789–2809, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2789-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2789-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes a new lidar system developed in Germany intended to study wind and temperature at night in the middle atmosphere. The paper explains how we have set up the system to work automatically and gives technical details for anyone who wants to build a similar system. We present a case study showing temperatures and winds at different altitudes. In a future article, we will present how we process the data and deal with uncertainties.
Jinhong Xian, Chao Lu, Xiaoling Lin, Honglong Yang, Ning Zhang, and Li Zhang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1837–1850, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1837-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1837-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Improving the monitoring capability of atmospheric turbulence can help unravel the mystery of turbulence. Based on some assumptions, scientists have proposed various detection methods. However, these assumptions limit their applicability. We abandoned these assumptions and proposed a more accurate method, revealing some new results. Our method can provide more accurate three-dimensional features of turbulence, which will have a huge driving effect on the development of turbulence.
Thorben H. Mense, Josef Höffner, Gerd Baumgarten, Ronald Eixmann, Jan Froh, Alsu Mauer, Alexander Munk, Robin Wing, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1665–1677, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1665-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A novel lidar system with five beams measured horizontal and vertical winds together, reaching altitudes up to 25 km. Developed in Germany, it revealed accurate horizontal wind data compared to forecasts, but vertical wind estimates differed. The lidar's capability to detect small-scale wind patterns was highlighted, advancing atmospheric research.
Peter Dalin, Urban Brändström, Johan Kero, Peter Voelger, Takanori Nishiyama, Trond Trondsen, Devin Wyatt, Craig Unick, Vladimir Perminov, Nikolay Pertsev, and Jonas Hedin
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1561–1576, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1561-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1561-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A novel infrared imaging instrument (OH imager) was put into operation in November 2022 at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna (Sweden). The OH imager is dedicated to the study of nightglow emissions coming from the hydroxyl (OH) and molecular oxygen (O2) layers in the mesopause (80–100 km). Based on a brightness ratio of two OH emission lines, the neutral temperature is estimated at around 87 km. The average daily winter temperature for the period January–April 2023 is 203±10 K.
Thomas Wagner and Jānis Puķīte
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 277–297, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-277-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-277-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a radiance calibration method based on the comparison of measurements and radiative transfer simulations of the zenith-scattered sun radiance during twilight. Cloud-free conditions are required. The method can be applied to measurements in the filed, and no laboratory measurements are required. The accuracy is estimated to range from about 4 % at 340 nm to about 10 % at 700 nm.
Tobias Böck, Bernhard Pospichal, and Ulrich Löhnert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 219–233, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-219-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-219-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, measurement uncertainties from microwave radiometers and their impact on temperature profiling are analyzed. These measurement uncertainties include horizontal inhomogeneities of the atmosphere, pointing errors or tilts of the instrument, physical obstacles which are in the line of sight of the radiometer, and radio frequency interferences. Impacts on temperature profiles from these uncertainties are usually small in real-life scenarios and when obstacles are far enough away.
Philipp Gasch, James Kasic, Oliver Maas, and Zhien Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5495–5523, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5495-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5495-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper rethinks airborne wind measurements and investigates a new design for airborne Doppler lidar systems. Recent advances in lidar technology allow the use of multiple lidar systems with fixed viewing directions instead of a single lidar attached to a scanner. Our simulation results show that the proposed new design offers great potential for both higher accuracy and higher-resolution airborne wind measurements.
Christiane Duscha, Juraj Pálenik, Thomas Spengler, and Joachim Reuder
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5103–5123, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5103-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5103-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We combine observations from two scanning Doppler lidars to obtain new and unique insights into the dynamic processes inherent to atmospheric convection. The approach complements and enhances conventional methods to probe convection and has the potential to substantially deepen our understanding of this complex process, which is crucial to improving our weather and climate models.
Anna Špačková, Martin Fencl, and Vojtěch Bareš
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3865–3879, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3865-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3865-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Commercial microwave links as rainfall sensors have been investigated and evaluated in numerous studies with gauge-adjusted radar used for reference for rainfall observations. We evaluate collocated commercial microwave links, which are thus exposed to identical atmospheric conditions. This set-up enables the exploration of inconsistencies in observations of independent sensors using data from a real telecommunication network. The sensors are in agreement and are homogeneous in their behaviour.
Alessandro Battaglia, Filippo Emilio Scarsi, Kamil Mroz, and Anthony Illingworth
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3283–3297, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3283-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3283-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Some of the new generation of cloud and precipitation spaceborne radars will adopt conical scanning. This will make some of the standard calibration techniques impractical. This work presents a methodology to cross-calibrate radars in orbits by matching the reflectivity probability density function of ice clouds observed by the to-be-calibrated and by the reference radar in quasi-coincident locations. Results show that cross-calibration within 1 dB (26 %) is feasible.
Claudio Belotti, Flavio Barbara, Marco Barucci, Giovanni Bianchini, Francesco D'Amato, Samuele Del Bianco, Gianluca Di Natale, Marco Gai, Alessio Montori, Filippo Pratesi, Markus Rettinger, Christian Rolf, Ralf Sussmann, Thomas Trickl, Silvia Viciani, Hannes Vogelmann, and Luca Palchetti
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2511–2529, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2511-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2511-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
FIRMOS (Far-Infrared Radiation Mobile Observation System) is a spectroradiometer measuring in the far-infrared, developed to support the preparation of the FORUM (Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring) satellite mission. In this paper, we describe the instrument, its data products, and the results of the comparison with a suite of observations made from a high-altitude site during a field campaign, in winter 2018–2019.
Christopher R. Williams, Joshua Barrio, Paul E. Johnston, Paytsar Muradyan, and Scott E. Giangrande
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2381–2398, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2381-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2381-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses surface disdrometer observations to calibrate 8 years of 915 MHz radar wind profiler deployed in the central United States in northern Oklahoma. This study had two key findings. First, the radar wind profiler sensitivity decreased approximately 3 to 4 dB/year as the hardware aged. Second, this drift was slow enough that calibration can be performed using 3-month intervals. Calibrated radar wind profiler observations and Python processing code are available on public repositories.
Xin Fang, Feng Li, Lei-lei Sun, and Tao Li
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2263–2272, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2263-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2263-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We successfully developed the first pseudorandom modulation continuous-wave narrowband sodium lidar (PMCW-NSL) system for simultaneous measurements of the mesopause region's temperature and wind. Based on the innovative decoded technique and algorithm for CW lidar, both the main and residual lights modulated by M-code are used and directed to the atmosphere in the vertical and eastward directions, tilted 20° from the zenith. The PMCW-NSL system can applied to airborne and space-borne purposes.
Dana L. McGuffin, Philip J. Cameron-Smith, Matthew A. Horsley, Brian J. Bauman, Wim De Vries, Denis Healy, Alex Pertica, Chris Shaffer, and Lance M. Simms
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2129–2144, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2129-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2129-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This work demonstrates the viability of a remote sensing technique using nanosatellites to measure stratospheric temperature. This measurement technique can probe the stratosphere and mesosphere at a fine vertical scale around the globe unlike other high-altitude measurement techniques, which would provide an opportunity to observe atmospheric gravity waves and turbulence. We analyze observations from two satellite platforms to provide a proof of concept and characterize measurement uncertainty.
Benjamin Witschas, Sonja Gisinger, Stephan Rahm, Andreas Dörnbrack, David C. Fritts, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 1087–1101, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1087-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1087-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, a novel scan technique is applied to an airborne coherent Doppler wind lidar, enabling us to measure the vertical wind speed and the horizontal wind speed along flight direction simultaneously with a horizontal resolution of about 800 m and a vertical resolution of 100 m. The performed observations are valuable for gravity wave characterization as they allow us to calculate the leg-averaged momentum flux profile and, with that, the propagation direction of excited gravity waves.
Kevin J. Nelson, Feiqin Xie, Bryan C. Chan, Ashish Goel, Jonathan Kosh, Tyler G. R. Reid, Corey R. Snyder, and Paul M. Tarantino
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 941–954, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-941-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-941-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) remote sensing is effective for atmospheric profiling. The capability of a low-cost and scalable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) GNSS receiver on board high-altitude balloons is tested in two campaigns. Preliminary results demonstrate high-quality refractivity observations from the COTS RO receiver, which is worth further improvement for dense atmospheric observations over a targeted region.
Jenna Ritvanen, Ewan O'Connor, Dmitri Moisseev, Raisa Lehtinen, Jani Tyynelä, and Ludovic Thobois
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6507–6519, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6507-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6507-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Doppler lidars and weather radars provide accurate wind measurements, with Doppler lidar usually performing better in dry weather conditions and weather radar performing better when there is precipitation. Operating both instruments together should therefore improve the overall performance. We investigate how well a co-located Doppler lidar and X-band radar perform with respect to various weather conditions, including changes in horizontal visibility, cloud altitude, and precipitation.
Bhupal Shrestha, Jerald A. Brotzge, and Junhong Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6011–6033, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6011-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6011-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The NYS Mesonet Profiler Network is comprised of 17 profiler sites, each equipped with a Doppler lidar, microwave radiometer, and sun photometer. This study presents a multi-year, multi-station evaluation based on well-defined reference measurements. Results demonstrate robust technologies that can aid real-time weather operations and a network test bed that can be used for further expansion, evaluation, and integration of such technologies at a large scale.
Felix Kelberlau and Jakob Mann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 5323–5341, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5323-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5323-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Floating lidar systems are used for measuring wind speeds offshore, and their motion influences the measurements. This study describes the motion-induced bias on mean wind speed estimates by simulating the lidar sampling pattern of a moving lidar. An analytic model is used to validate the simulations. The bias is low and depends on amplitude and frequency of motion as well as on wind shear. It has been estimated for the example of the Fugro SEAWATCH wind lidar buoy carrying a ZX 300M lidar.
Alessandro Battaglia, Paolo Martire, Eric Caubet, Laurent Phalippou, Fabrizio Stesina, Pavlos Kollias, and Anthony Illingworth
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3011–3030, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3011-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3011-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present an instrument simulator for a new sensor, WIVERN (WInd VElocity Radar Nephoscope), a conically scanning radar payload with Doppler capabilities, recently down-selected as one of the four candidates for the European Space Agency Earth Explorer 11 program. The mission aims at measuring horizontal winds in cloudy areas. The simulator is instrumental in the definition and consolidation of the mission requirements and the evaluation of mission performances.
James B. Duncan Jr., Laura Bianco, Bianca Adler, Tyler Bell, Irina V. Djalalova, Laura Riihimaki, Joseph Sedlar, Elizabeth N. Smith, David D. Turner, Timothy J. Wagner, and James M. Wilczak
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 2479–2502, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2479-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2479-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, several ground-based remote sensing instruments are used to estimate the height of the convective planetary boundary layer, and their performance is compared against independent boundary layer depth estimates obtained from radiosondes launched as part of the CHEESEHEAD19 field campaign. The impact of clouds (particularly boundary layer clouds) on the estimation of the boundary layer depth is also investigated.
Vicki Kelsey, Spencer Riley, and Kenneth Minschwaner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 1563–1576, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1563-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1563-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In the interior western USA there are distances of hundreds of kilometers between weather balloon launch sites for weather forecasting. Satellite coverage can also be sparse or with poor resolution. Using infrared thermometers, clear-sky temperatures were collected and compared with data from weather balloons. A correlation between clear-sky temperatures and precipitable water measurements from weather balloons was found. This means that citizen scientists can collect data.
Benjamin Witschas, Christian Lemmerz, Oliver Lux, Uwe Marksteiner, Oliver Reitebuch, Fabian Weiler, Frederic Fabre, Alain Dabas, Thomas Flament, Dorit Huber, and Michael Vaughan
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 1465–1489, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1465-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1465-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In August 2018, the ESA launched the first Doppler wind lidar into space. In order to calibrate the instrument and to monitor the overall instrument conditions, instrument spectral registration measurements have been performed with Aeolus on a weekly basis. Based on these measurements, the alignment drift of the Aeolus satellite instrument is estimated by applying tools and mathematical model functions to analyze the spectrometer transmission curves.
Joseph J. Michalsky and Peter W. Kiedron
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 353–364, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-353-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-353-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes an instrument that measures spectrally from 360 nm (ultraviolet) to 1070 nm (near-infrared) at 1002 separate wavelengths. The measurements were made every minute from the late summer of 2009 to the winter of 2014 at a site in northern Oklahoma (USA; 36.605° N, 97.486° W). Methods are described that enable the normalized transmission across the spectrum to be measured and, subsequently, used to calculate the aerosol optical depth and spectra irradiance.
Julien Totems, Patrick Chazette, and Alexandre Baron
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7525–7544, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7525-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7525-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We describe in detail the design and calibration of the new Raman channels for the WALI system, going over the important sources of bias and uncertainty on retrieved temperature profiles. For the first time, their impact is investigated using horizontal shots in a homogenous atmosphere: the magnitude of the highlighted biases can be much larger than the targeted absolute accuracy of 1° C. Actual measurement errors are quantified using radiosoundings launched close to the lidar site.
Oliver Lux, Christian Lemmerz, Fabian Weiler, Thomas Kanitz, Denny Wernham, Gonçalo Rodrigues, Andrew Hyslop, Olivier Lecrenier, Phil McGoldrick, Frédéric Fabre, Paolo Bravetti, Tommaso Parrinello, and Oliver Reitebuch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6305–6333, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6305-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6305-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The work assesses the frequency stability of the laser transmitters on board Aeolus and discusses its influence on the quality of the global wind data. Excellent frequency stability of the space lasers is evident, although enhanced frequency noise occurs at certain locations along the orbit due to micro-vibrations that are introduced by the satellite’s reaction wheels. The study elaborates on this finding and investigates the extent to which the enhanced frequency noise increases the wind error.
Tingyu Yan, Jeffery A. Langille, William E. Ward, William A. Gault, Alan Scott, Andrew Bell, Driss Touahiri, Sheng-Hai Zheng, and Chunmin Zhang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6213–6232, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6213-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6213-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
High-resolution interferometers are routinely used to measure upper atmospheric motions by measuring small Doppler shifts in spectrally isolated airglow emissions. The birefringent interferometer presented in this paper has similar capabilities as several existing state-of-the-art instruments but is smaller and less complex to construct and operate. This paper presents the measurement technique and characterization of a lab prototype and examines the performance of the instrument.
Etienne Cheynet, Martin Flügge, Joachim Reuder, Jasna B. Jakobsen, Yngve Heggelund, Benny Svardal, Pablo Saavedra Garfias, Charlotte Obhrai, Nicolò Daniotti, Jarle Berge, Christiane Duscha, Norman Wildmann, Ingrid H. Onarheim, and Marte Godvik
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6137–6157, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6137-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6137-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The COTUR campaign explored the structure of wind turbulence above the ocean to improve the design of future multi-megawatt offshore wind turbines. Deploying scientific instruments offshore is both a financial and technological challenge. Therefore, lidar technology was used to remotely measure the wind above the ocean from instruments located on the seaside. The experimental setup is tailored to the study of the spatial correlation of wind gusts, which governs the wind loading on structures.
Fabian Weiler, Thomas Kanitz, Denny Wernham, Michael Rennie, Dorit Huber, Marc Schillinger, Olivier Saint-Pe, Ray Bell, Tommaso Parrinello, and Oliver Reitebuch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5153–5177, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5153-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5153-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper reports on dark current signal anomalies of the detectors used on board the ESA's Earth Explorer satellite Aeolus during the first 1.5 years in orbit. After introducing sophisticated algorithms to classify dark current anomalies according to their characteristics, the impact of the different kinds of anomalies on wind measurements is discussed. In addition, mitigation approaches for the wind retrieval are presented and potential root causes are discussed.
Chuanliang Zhang, Xuejin Sun, Wen Lu, Yingni Shi, Naiying Dou, and Shaohui Li
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4787–4803, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4787-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4787-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The first spaceborne doppler wind lidar (DWL) Aeolus operates on sun-synchronous dawn–dusk orbit to lower the impact of solar background radiation (SBR) on wind observation accuracy. Increased SBR leads to an increment of averaged wind observation uncertainties from 0.19 to 0.27 m s-1 comparing Aeolus and two added spaceborne DWLs operating on orbits with local ascending times of 15:00 and 12:00 LT. A quantitative design of laser pulse energy according to accuracy requirements is also proposed.
Didier Bruneau and Jacques Pelon
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4375–4402, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4375-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4375-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Taking advantage of Aeolus success and of our airborne lidar system expertise, we present a new spaceborne wind lidar design for operational Aeolus follow-on missions, keeping most of the initial lidar system but relying on a single Mach–Zehnder interferometer to relax operational constraints and reduce measurement bias. System parameters are optimized. Random and systematic errors are shown to be compliant with the initial mission requirements. In addition, the system allows unbiased retrieval.
Franz-Josef Lübken and Josef Höffner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3815–3836, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3815-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3815-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new concept for a cluster of lidars that allows us to measure time-resolved profiles of temperatures, winds, and aerosols in the entire middle atmosphere for the first time, also covering regional horizontal scales (
four-dimensional coverage). Measurements are performed during day and night. The essential component is a newly developed laser with unprecedented performance. We present the first measurements. New observational capabilities in atmospheric physics are established.
Bernd Kaifler and Natalie Kaifler
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1715–1732, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1715-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1715-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes the Compact Rayleigh Autonomous Lidar (CORAL), which is the first lidar instrument to make fully automatic high-resolution measurements of atmospheric density and temperature between 15 and 90 km altitude. CORAL achieves a much larger measurement cadence than conventional lidars and thus facilitates studies of rare atmospheric phenomena.
Cited articles
Adams, G. W., Peterson, A. W., Brosnahan, J. W., and Neuschaefer, J. W.:
Radar and optical observations of mesospheric wave activity during the lunar
eclipse of 6 July 1982, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 50, 11–20, 1988.
Andreassen, Ø., Wasberg, C. E., Fritts, D. C., and Isler, J. R.: Gravity
wave breaking in two and three dimensions 1. Model description and
comparison of two-dimensional evolutions, J. Geophys. Res., 99, 8095–8108,
1994.
Bacmeister, J. T. and Schoeberl, M. R.: Breakdown of vertically
propagating two-dimensional gravity waves forced by orography, J. Atmos.
Sci., 46, 2109–2134, 1989.
Baker, D. J. and Stair, A. T.: Rocket Measurements of the Altitude
Distributions of the Hydroxyl Airglow, Phys. Scripta, 37, 611–622,
https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-8949/37/4/021, 1988.
Baumgarten, G. and Fritts, D. C.: Quantifying Kelvin-Helmholtz instability
dynamics observed in noctilucent clouds: 1. Methods and observations, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 119, 9324–9337, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD021832, 2014.
Becker, E. and Vadas, S. L.: Secondary Gravity Waves in the Winter
Mesosphere: Results From a High-Resolution Global Circulation Model, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 123, 2605–2627,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027460, 2018.
Beldon, C. L. and Mitchell, N. J.: Gravity waves in the mesopause region
observed by meteor radar, 2: Climatologies of gravity waves in the Antarctic
and Arctic, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 71, 875–884,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2009.03.009, 2009.
Bittner, M., Offermann, D., and Graef, H. H.: Mesopause temperature
variability above a midlatitude station in Europe, J. Geophys. Res.,
105, 2045–2058, 2000.
Bossert, K., Kruse, C. G., Heale, C. J., Fritts, D. C., Williams, B. P.,
Snively, J. B., Pautet, P.-D., and Taylor, M. J.: . Secondary gravity wave
generation over New Zealand during the DEEPWAVE campaign, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 122, 7834–7850,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JD026079, 2017.
Browning, K. A.: Structure of the atmosphere in the vicinity of
large-amplitude Kelvin–Helmholtz billows, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 97,
283–299, 1971.
Chau, J. L., Urco, J. M., Avsarkisov, V., Vierinen, J. P., Latteck, R.,
Hall, C. M., and Tsutsumi, M.: Four-Dimensional Quantification of
Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities in the Polar Summer Mesosphere Using
Volumetric Radar Imaging, Geophys. Res. Let., 47, e2019GL086081,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086081, 2020.
de la Cámara, A., Lott, F., and Abalos, M.: Climatology of the middle
atmosphere in LMDz: Impact of source-related parameterizations of gravity
wave drag, J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 8, 1507–1525,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2016MS000753, 2016.
Espy, P. J. and Stegman, J.: Trends and variability of mesospheric
temperature at high-latitudes, Phys. Chem. Earth, 27, 543–553, 2002.
Espy, P. J., Hibbins, R. E., Jones, G. O. L., Riggin, D. M., and Fritts, D.
C.: Rapid, large-scale temperature changes in the polar mesosphere and their
relationship to meridional flows, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30,
1240, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002GL016452, 2003.
Franke, P. M. and Robinson, W. A.: Nonlinear behaviour in the propagation of
atmospheric gravity waves, J. Atmos. Sci., 56, 3010–3027, 1999.
French, W. J. R. and Burns, G. B.: The influence of large-scale
oscillations on long-term trend assessment in hydroxyl temperatures over
Davis, Antarctica, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phys., 66, 493–506,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2004.01.027, 2004.
Fritts, D. C. and Alexander, M. J.: Gravity wave dynamics and effects in the
middle atmosphere, Rev. Geophys., 41, 1003, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001RG000106,
2003.
Fritts, D. C., Garten, J. F., and Andreassen, Ø.: Wave breaking and
transition to turbulence in stratified shear flows, J. Atmos. Sci., 53,
1057–1085, 1996.
Fritts, D. C., Isler, J. R., Hecht, J. H., Walterscheid, R. L., and Andreassen, O.: Wave breaking signatures in sodium densities and OH nightglow.
2. Simulation of wave and instability structures, J. Geophys. Res., 102,
6669–6684, https://doi.org/10.1029/96JD01902, 1997.
Gardner, C. S., Zhao, Y., and Liu, A. Z.: Atmospheric stability and gravity
wave dissipation in the mesopause region, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 64,
923–929, 2002.
Gargett, A. E.: Velcro Measurement of Turbulence Kinetic Energy Dissipation
Rate ϵ, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 16, 1973–1993, 1999.
Hannawald, P., Schmidt, C., Wüst, S., and Bittner, M.: A fast SWIR imager for observations of transient features in OH airglow, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1461–1472, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1461-2016, 2016.
Hannawald, P., Schmidt, C., Sedlak, R., Wüst, S., and Bittner, M.: Seasonal and intra-diurnal variability of small-scale gravity waves in OH airglow at two Alpine stations, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 457–469, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-457-2019, 2019.
Hecht, J. H.: Instability layers and airglow imaging, Review of Geophysics, 42, RG1001, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003RG000131, 2004.
Hecht, J. H., Walterscheid, R. L., Fritts, D. C., Isler, J. R., Senft, D.
C., Gardner, C. S., and Franke, S. J.: Wave breaking signatures in OH
airglow and sodium densities and temperatures 1. Airglow imaging, Na lidar,
and MF radar observations, J. Geophys. Res., 102, 6655–6668, 1997.
Hecht, J. H., Fricke-Begemann, C., Walterscheid, R. L., and Höffner, J.:
Observations of the breakdown of an atmospheric gravity wave near the cold
summer mesopause at 54N, Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 879–882,
https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GL010792, 2000.
Hecht, J. H., Wan, K., Gelinas, L. J., Fritts, D. C., Walterscheid, R. L.,
Rudy, R. J., Liu, A. Z., Franke, S. J., Vargas, F. A., Pautet, P. D.,
Taylor, M. J., and Swenson, G. R.: The life cycle of instability features
measured from the Andes Lidar Observatory over Cerro Pachon on 24 March
2012, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 119, 8872–8898, 2014.
Hecht, J. H., Fritts, D. C., Gelinas, L. J., Rudy, R. J., Walterscheid, R.
L., and Liu, A. Z.: Kelvin-Helmholtz Billow Interactions and Instabilities
in the Mesosphere Over the Andes Lidar Observatory: 1. Observations, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, e2020JD033414, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD033414, 2021.
Hines, C. O. and Tarasick, D. W.: On the detection and utilization of gravity
waves in airglow studies, Planet. Space Sci., 35, 851–866,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(87)90063-8, 1987.
Hocking, W. K.: Measurement of turbulent energy dissipation rates in the
middle atmosphere by radar techniques: A review, Radio Sci., 20, 1403–1422,
1985.
Hocking, W. K.: The dynamical parameters of turbulence theory as they apply
to middle atmosphere studies, Earth Planets Space, 51, 525–541, 1999.
Hoffmann P., Becker, E., Singer, W., and Placke, M.: Seasonal variation of
mesospheric waves at northern middle and high latitudes, J. Atmos.
Sol.-Terr. Phy., 72, 1068–1079, 2010.
Holton, J. R.: The influence of gravity wave breaking on the general
circulation of the middle atmosphere, J. Atmos. Sci., 40, 2497–2507,
1983.
Holton, J. R. and Alexander, M. J.: Gravity waves in the mesosphere
generated by tropospheric convection, Tellus, 51A-B, 45–58, 1999.
Li, J., Li, T., Dou, X., Fang, X., Cao, B., She, C.-Y., Nakamura, T.,
Manson, A., Meek, C., and Thorsen, D.: Characteristics of ripple structures
revealed in OH airglow images, J. Geophys. Res.-Space, 122,
3748–3759, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JA023538, 2017.
Li, Z., Liu, A. Z., Lu, X., Swenson, G. R., and Franke, S. J.: Gravity wave
characteristics from OH airglow imager over Maui, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D22115, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD015870, 2011.
Lindzen, R. S.: Turbulence and stress owing to gravity wave and tidal
breakdown, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 86, 9707–9714, 1981.
Liu, G. and Shepherd, G. G.: An empirical model for the altitude of the OH
nightglow emission, Geophys. Res. Let., 33, L09805,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025297, 2006.
Lübken, F.-J.: Seasonal variation of turbulent energy dissipation rates
at high latitudes as determined by in situ measurements of neutral density
fluctuations, J. Geophys. Res., 102, 13441–13456, 1997.
Lübken, F.-J., von Zahn, U., Thrane, E. V., Blix, T., Kokin, G. A., and
Pachomov, S. V.: In situ measurements of turbulent energy dissipation rates
and eddy diffusion coefficients during MAP/WINE, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys.,
49, 763–775, 1987.
Lübken, F.-J., Rapp, M., and Hofmann, P.: Neutral air turbulence and
temperatures in the vicinity of polar mesospheric summer echoes, J. Geophys.
Res., 107, 4273, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000915, 2002.
Marsh, D. R.: Chemical-Dynamical Coupling in the Mesosphere and Lower
Thermosphere, Aeronomy of the Earth's Atmosphere and Ionosphere, IAGA Special Sopron Book
Series 2, edited by: Abdu,
M. A. and Pancheva, D., Coed. Bhattacharyya, A., Springer
Science+Business Media B. V., Dordrecht, the Netherlands, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0326-1_1, 2011.
Moreels, G., Clairemidi, J., Faivre, M., Mougin-Sisini, D., Kouahla, M. N.,
Meriwether, J. W., Lehmacher, G. A., Vidal, E., and Veliz, O.: Stereoscopic
imaging of the hydroxyl emissive layer at low latitudes, Planet. Space Sci.,
56, 1467–1479, 2008.
Mulligan, F. J., Horgan, D. F., Galligan, J. G., and Griffin, E. M.: Mesopause
temperatures and integrated band brightnesses calculated from airglow OH
emissions recorded at Maynooth (53.21N, 6.41W) during 1993, J.
Atmos. Terr. Phys. 57, 1623–1637, 1995.
Nakamura, T., Higashikawa, A., Tsuda, T., and Matsuhita, Y.: Seasonal
variations of gravity wave structures in OH airglow with a CCD imager at
Shigaraki, Earth Planets Space, 51, 897–906, 1999.
Offermann, D., Gusev, O.,
Donner, M., Forbes, J. M., Hagan, M., Mlynczak, M. G., Oberheide, J.,
Preusse, P., Schmidt, H., and Russell III, J. M.: Relative intensities of
middle atmosphere waves, J. Geophys. Res., 114, D06110,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010662, 2009.
Pautet, P. D., Taylor, M. J., Pendleton, W. R., Zhao, Y., Yuan, T., Esplin,
R., and McLain, D.: Advanced mesospheric temperature mapper for
high-latitude airglow studies, Appl. Opt., 53, 5934–5943, 2014.
Peterson, A. W.: Airglow events visible to the naked eye, Appl. Optics, 18,
3390–3393, https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.18.003390, 1979.
Peterson, A. W. and Kieffaber, L. M.: Infrared Photography of OH Airglow
Structures, Nature, 242, 321–322, 1973.
Reisin, E. R. and Scheer, J.: Vertical propagation of gravity waves
determined from zenith observations of airglow, Adv. Space Res., 27,
1743–1748, 2001.
Satomura, T. and Sato, K.: Secondary generation of gravity waves associated
with the breaking of mountain waves, J. Atmos. Sci., 56, 3847–3858,
1999.
Schmidt, C., Höppner, K., and Bittner, M.: A ground-based spectrometer
equipped with an InGaAs array for routine observations of OH(3-1) rotational
temperatures in the mesopause region, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 102,
125–139, 2013.
Schmidt, C., Dunker, T., Lichtenstern, S., Scheer, J., Wüst, S., Hoppe,
U.-P., and Bittner, M.: Derivation of vertical wavelengths of gravity waves
in the MLT-region from multispectral airglow observations, J. Atmos.
Sol.-Terr. Phy., 173, 119–127, 2018.
Schmidt, C., Wüst, S., Stanic, S., and Bittner, M.: One minute mean values OH(3-1) airglow rotational temperatures from the mesopause region obtained with GRIPS 9 at Otlica, Slovenia, ndmc [data set], available at: https://ndmc.dlr.de/operational-data-products, last access: 16 October 2021.
Sedlak, R., Hannawald, P., Schmidt, C., Wüst, S., and Bittner, M.: High-resolution observations of small-scale gravity waves and turbulence features in the OH airglow layer, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5955–5963, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5955-2016, 2016.
Sedlak, R., Zuhr, A., Schmidt, C., Wüst, S., Bittner, M., Didebulidze, G. G., and Price, C.: Intra-annual variations of spectrally resolved gravity wave activity in the upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere (UMLT) region, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 5117–5128, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5117-2020, 2020.
Silber, I., Price, C., Schmidt, C., Wüst, S., Bittner, M., and Pecora, E.: First ground-based observations of mesopause temperatures above the Eastern-Mediterranean Part I: Multi-day oscillations and tides, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 155, 95–103, 2016.
Smith, S., Baumgardner, J., and Mendillo, M.: Evidence of mesospheric
gravity-waves generated by orographic forcing in the troposphere, Geophys.
Res. Lett., 36, L08807,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL036936, 2009.
Taylor, M. J.: A review of advances in imaging techniques for measuring
short period gravity waves in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, Adv.
Space Res., 19, 667–676, 1997.
Taylor, M. J. and Hapgood, M. A.: On the origin of ripple-type wave
structure in the OH nightglow emission, Planet. Space Sci., 38, 1421–1430,
1990.
Tuan, T. F., Hedinger, R., Silverman, S. M., and Okuda, M.: On gravity wave
induced Brunt-Vaisala oscillations, J. Geophys. Res.-Space, 84,
393–398, 1979.
Vadas, S. L. and Becker, E.: Numerical Modeling of the Excitation,
Propagation, and Dissipation of Primary and Secondary Gravity Waves during
Wintertime at McMurdo Station in the Antarctic, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 123, 9326–9369, 2018.
Vadas, S. L. and Fritts, D. C.: Gravity wave radiation and mean responses to
local body forces in the atmosphere, J. Atmos. Sci., 58, 2249–2279, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2001)058<2249:GWRAMR>2.0.CO;2, 2001.
Vadas, S. L., Zhao, J., Chu, X., and Becker, E.: The Excitation of secondary
gravity waves from local body forces: Theory and observation, J. Geophys.
Res.-Atmos., 123, 9296–9325,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JD027974, 2018.
Wachter, P., Schmidt, C., Wüst, S., and Bittner, M.: Spatial gravity
wave characteristics obtained from multiple OH(3-1) airglow temperature time
series, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 135, 192–201, 2015.
The World Data Center for Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere: The World Data Center for Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, https://wdc.dlr.de/, last access: 16 October 2021.
Wüst, S., Wendt, V., Schmidt, C., Lichtenstern, S., Bittner, M., Yee,
J.-H., Mlynczak, M. G., and Russell III, J. M.: Derivation of gravity wave
potential energy density from NDMC measurements, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phys.,
138, 32–46, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2015.12.003, 2016.
Wüst, S., Schmidt, C., Bittner, M., Silber, I., Price, C., Yee, J.-H.,
Mlynczak, M. G., and Russel III, J. M.: First ground-based observations of
mesopause temperatures above the Eastern-Mediterranean Part II:
OH*-climatology and gravity wave activity, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phys., 155,
104–111, 2017a.
Wüst, S., Bittner, M., Yee, J.-H., Mlynczak, M. G., and Russell III, J. M.: Variability of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency at the OH* layer height, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4895–4903, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4895-2017, 2017b.
Wüst, S., Offenwanger, T., Schmidt, C., Bittner, M., Jacobi, C., Stober, G., Yee, J.-H., Mlynczak, M. G., and Russell III, J. M.: Derivation of gravity wave intrinsic parameters and vertical wavelength using a single scanning OH(3-1) airglow spectrometer, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 2937–2947, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2937-2018, 2018.
Wüst, S., Schmidt, C., Hannawald, P., Bittner, M., Mlynczak, M. G., and Russell III, J. M.: Observations of OH airglow from ground, aircraft, and satellite: investigation of wave-like structures before a minor stratospheric warming, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 6401–6418, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6401-2019, 2019.
Wüst, S., Bittner, M., Yee, J.-H., Mlynczak, M. G., and Russell III, J. M.: Variability of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency at the OH*-airglow layer height at low and midlatitudes, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 6067–6093, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6067-2020, 2020.
Yuan, T., She, C.-Y., Krueger, D. A., Sassi, F., Garcia, R., Roble, R. G.,
Liu, H.-L., and Schmidt, H.: Climatology of mesopause region temperature,
zonal wind, and meridional wind over Fort Collins, Colorado (41∘ N, 105∘ W),
and comparison with model simulations, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D03105,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD008697, 2008.
Short summary
High-resolution images of the OH* airglow layer (ca. 87 km height) acquired at Otlica Observatory, Slovenia, have been analysed. A statistical analysis of small-scale wave structures with horizontal wavelengths up to 4.5 km suggests strong presence of instability features in the upper mesosphere or lower thermosphere. The dissipated energy of breaking gravity waves is derived from observations of turbulent vortices. It is concluded that dynamical heating plays a vital role in the atmosphere.
High-resolution images of the OH* airglow layer (ca. 87 km height) acquired at Otlica...
