Abstract: Atmospheric internal gravity (buoyancy) waves result from the balance between the forces of buoyancy and gravity on air parcels in the stably stratified atmosphere. Gravity waves are induced mostly by topography, convection and wind shear in the troposphere. These waves transport energy and momentum upward vertically from the tropopause to the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region. They also play an important role in mesospheric transport circulation, leading to seasonal temperature and wind variations in the MLT region. The Kyoto University OH imager near Fort Collins measures the horizontal structure of gravity waves at the altitude of 875 km with horizontal wavelengths from approximately 10-100 km. The state-of-the-art CSU sodium fluorescence lidar system measures the temperature and wind at altitudes from 80 to 105 km during 500-1000 hours every year. The combination of lidar and OH imagery can provides coupled joint observations of convectively-generated atmospheric gravity waves and ducted gravity waves in the mesopause, with the potential to advance the science of mesopause region dynamics.
Adviser: Chiao-Yao (Joe) She Co-Adviser: Steven C. Reising Non-ECE Member: David Krueger, Physics Member 3: Steven C. Reising, ECE Addional Members: NA
