High-latitude thermospheric vertical wind activity from Dynamics Explorer 2 Wind and Temperature Spectrometer observations: Indications of a source region for polar cap gravity waves

Details High-latitude thermospheric vertical wind activity from Dynamics Explorer 2 Wind and Temperature Spectrometer observations: Indications of a source region for polar cap gravity waves High-latitude thermospheric vertical wind activity from Dynamics Explorer 2 Wind and Temperature Spectrometer observations: Indications of a source region for polar cap gravity waves

Aug 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002jgra..107.1172i&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics), Volume 107, Issue A8, pp. SIA 11-1, CiteID 1172, DOI 10.1029/2001JA009130

Physics

Space Physics

6

Meteorology And Atmospheric Dynamics: Thermospheric Dynamics (0358), Meteorology And Atmospheric Dynamics: Waves And Tides, Ionosphere: Polar Cap Ionosphere, Ionosphere: Ionospheric Disturbances

Scientific paper

The large-scale distribution of thermospheric vertical wind activity, from ~250 to 650 km altitude, was studied using observations from the Wind and Temperature Spectrometer on the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite. We calculated the vertical velocity standard deviation, σ(Vz), within a sliding window of width 120 s, corresponding to an along-track distance of ~900 km. Maps of σ(Vz) in local magnetic time and invariant latitude reveal a high-latitude region of enhanced activity that largely fills the polar cap, maximizing in the midnight-dawn sector. Separating the data by altitude suggests that most of the vertical wind energy present at 250-450 km is dissipated within a few hundred vertical kilometers. Northern and Southern Hemisphere high-latitude σ(Vz) fields were found to be very similar, indicating no significant hemispheric differences. No strong correlation was found between solar illumination and σ(Vz) at high latitudes, although the dayside vertical wind activity may be slightly reduced compared to night and twilight intervals. However, a clear relationship to geomagnetic activity, as measured by the AE index, was found; vertical wind activity increases with increasing AE. We interpret these results as a possible signature of polar cap gravity waves with sources in or near the midnight-dawn auroral oval. We use the probability density functions of σ(Vz), separated by AE, to infer the temporal characteristics of the wave source and consequently to provide preliminary estimates of the production rates of polar cap gravity waves.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

High-latitude thermospheric vertical wind activity from Dynamics Explorer 2 Wind and Temperature Spectrometer observations: Indications of a source region for polar cap gravity waves does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with High-latitude thermospheric vertical wind activity from Dynamics Explorer 2 Wind and Temperature Spectrometer observations: Indications of a source region for polar cap gravity waves, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High-latitude thermospheric vertical wind activity from Dynamics Explorer 2 Wind and Temperature Spectrometer observations: Indications of a source region for polar cap gravity waves will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-927713