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Generation of pseudo-waves in the middle atmosphere by flow accelerations due to breaking gravity waves?Low frequency, large amplitude waves are often observed at mesospheric heights in radar and lidar wind measurements. A series of individual profiles of 1-hr averages of velocity data that were taken in October 1981 using the MST radar at Poker Flat, Alaska are presented. The vertical wavelength of this wave-like event is about 15 km and has a period close to 10 hours. A clear downward phase propagation can be seen, and so these oscillations are usually, and probably correctly, interpreted as being gravity wave flow perturbations. We investigate an alternative explanation that may also be possible; specifically, we investigate the possibility that the perturbed flow is a pseudo-wave structure produced by mean flow acceleration due to gravity waves propagating upward from below and breaking in the mesosphere. The question is whether effects similar to those that produce the much longer period Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) in the equatorial stratosphere can produce mesospheric pseudo-waves (MPW) at much shorter periods.
Document ID
19960010324
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jacobson, Raymond A.
(Clemson Univ. SC, United States)
Larsen, M. F.
(Clemson Univ. SC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
August 20, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: National Central Univ., Solar-Terrestrial Energy Program: Proceedings of the 6th Workshop on Technical and Scientific Aspects of MST Radar
Subject Category
Communications And Radar
Accession Number
96N17490
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-5002
CONTRACT_GRANT: F49620-93-0552
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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