Articles | Volume 36, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1099-2018
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1099-2018
Regular paper
 | 
15 Aug 2018
Regular paper |  | 15 Aug 2018

On the short-term variability of turbulence and temperature in the winter mesosphere

Gerald A. Lehmacher, Miguel F. Larsen, Richard L. Collins, Aroh Barjatya, and Boris Strelnikov

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Cited articles

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Blix, T. A., Thrane, E. V., and Andreassen, Ø.: In situ measurements of fine scale structure and turbulence in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere by means of electrostatic positive ion probes, J. Geophys. Res., 95, 5533–5548, https://doi.org/10.1029/JD095iD05p05533, 1990. a
CCMC (Community Coordinated Modeling Center): NRLMSISE-00 Atmosphere Model, Dr. Masha Kuznetsova, https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/modelweb/models/nrlmsise00.php, last access: 13 August 2018. 
Collins, R. L., Lehmacher, G. A, Larsen, M. F., and Mizutani, K.: Estimates of vertical eddy diffusivity and energy dissipation in the upper mesosphere in the presence of a mesospheric inversion layer, Ann. Geophys., 29, 2019–2029, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-29-2019-2011, 2011. a, b
Collins R., Triplett, C., Barjatya, A., Lehmacher, G., and Fritts, D.: Using lidar and rockets to explore turbulence in the atmosphere, SPIE Newsroom, https://doi.org/10.1117/2.1201505.005922, 2015. a, b
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Short summary
We used sounding rockets to obtain four high-resolution temperature profiles in the mesosphere over a limited area. We found consistent deep isothermal and adiabatic layers, but variable and finely structured turbulence preferentially in the lower stable mesosphere. Accompanying tracer releases showed horizontal winds in the lower thermosphere with extreme shears and 200 m  s−1 winds under moderately disturbed geomagnetic conditions, and convection-like structures just below the mesopause.