Articles | Volume 36, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1099-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-36-1099-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
| 
15 Aug 2018
Regular paper |
| 15 Aug 2018
| 15 Aug 2018
On the short-term variability of turbulence and temperature in the winter mesosphere
Gerald A. Lehmacher
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
Miguel F. Larsen
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
Richard L. Collins
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Aroh Barjatya
Department of Physical Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Boris Strelnikov
Leibniz-Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Kühlungsborn, Germany
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G. A. Lehmacher, M. F. Larsen, and C. L. Croskey
Ann. Geophys., 33, 371–380, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-371-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-371-2015, 2015
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The descent of a sporadic E layer near 95km was observed with two rockets during a geomagnetically very quiet period. Four wind profiles showed that the location was surprisingly consistent with the neutral wind shear and a small electric field. Both electron probes found deep depletions just below the layers, which could be due to charged mesospheric smoke particles. Those have recently been detected in the mesosphere, but not yet in immediate connection with sporadic E.
Joan Stude, Heinfried Aufmhoff, Hans Schlager, Markus Rapp, Frank Arnold, and Boris Strelnikov
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In this paper we describe the instrument ROMARA and show data from the first flight on a research rocket.
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Ralph Latteck, Toralf Renkwitz, and Boris Strelnikov
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In April 2018 the PMWE1 sounding rocket campaign was conducted at the Andøya Space Center involving coordinated measurements with rockets and ground instruments to measure parameters relevant for testing of the existing theories of PMWE formation. The Middle Atmosphere Alomar Radar System (MAARSY) was operated to detect PMWE with multiple beam directions. The Saura MF radar was operated with a multiple beam experiment to derive horizontal winds and electron density profiles.
Boris Strelnikov, Martin Eberhart, Martin Friedrich, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Gerd Baumgarten, Bifford P. Williams, Tristan Staszak, Heiner Asmus, Irina Strelnikova, Ralph Latteck, Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, Franz-Josef Lübken, Josef Höffner, Raimund Wörl, Jörg Gumbel, Stefan Löhle, Stefanos Fasoulas, Markus Rapp, Aroh Barjatya, Michael J. Taylor, and Pierre-Dominique Pautet
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Sounding rockets are the only means of measuring small-scale structures (i.e., spatial scales of kilometers to centimeters) in the Earth's middle atmosphere (50–120 km). We present and analyze brand-new high-resolution measurements of atomic oxygen (O) concentration together with high-resolution measurements of ionospheric plasma and neutral air parameters. We found a new behavior of the O inside turbulent layers, which might be essential to adequately model weather and climate.
Martin Eberhart, Stefan Löhle, Boris Strelnikov, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Stefanos Fasoulas, Jörg Gumbel, Franz-Josef Lübken, and Markus Rapp
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This paper describes the measurement of atomic oxygen in the upper atmosphere onboard sounding rockets using solid electrolyte sensors. Calibration of the sensors in the laboratory is explained in detail. Results from the WADIS-2 rocket campaign show profiles of atomic oxygen density with a high spatial resolution.
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Based on rocket-borne true common volume observations of atomic oxygen, atmospheric band emission (762 nm), and background atmosphere density and temperature, one-step, two-step, and combined mechanisms of
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Simultaneous temperature measurements during the WADIS-2 rocket campaign are used to investigate the thermal structure of the mesopause region. Vertically and horizontally resolved in situ and remote measurements are in good agreement and show dominating long-term and large-scale waves with periods of 24 h and higher tidal harmonics. Only a few gravity waves with periods shorter than 6 h and small amplitudes are there.
Gabriel Giono, Boris Strelnikov, Heiner Asmus, Tristan Staszak, Nickolay Ivchenko, and Franz-Josef Lübken
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Energetic photons, such as ultraviolet light, are able to eject electrons from a material surface, thus creating an electrical current, also called a photocurrent. A proper estimation of this photocurrent can be crucial for space- or rocket-borne particle detectors, as it can dominate over the currents that are of scientific interest (induced by charged particles, for example). This article outlines the design for photocurrent modelling and for experimental confirmation in a laboratory.
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This work sheds new light on the size distribution of dust grains of meteoric origin in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region using rocket-borne instrumentation. We found that a large number of very small (~ 0.5 nm) particles are charged and therefore have a significant influence on the charge balance of the lower ionosphere.
Boris Strelnikov, Artur Szewczyk, Irina Strelnikova, Ralph Latteck, Gerd Baumgarten, Franz-Josef Lübken, Markus Rapp, Stefanos Fasoulas, Stefan Löhle, Martin Eberhart, Ulf-Peter Hoppe, Tim Dunker, Martin Friedrich, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Jörg Gumbel, and Aroh Barjatya
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The WADIS sounding rocket mission utilized multi-point turbulence measurements in the mesosphere by different techniques, i.e., with ionization gauges carried by rockets and ground-based MAARSY and EISCAT radars. Results show that turbulence energy dissipation rates oscillate in space and time with amplitude of up to 2 orders of magnitude. Spatial oscillations show the same wavelengths as atmospheric gravity waves. Temporal variability reveals periods of atmospheric tides and gravity waves.
David L. Hysell, Miguel Larsen, and Michael Sulzer
Ann. Geophys., 34, 927–941, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-927-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-927-2016, 2016
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Radar observations of the E- and F-region ionosphere from the Arecibo Observatory made during moderately disturbed conditions are presented. Plasma irregularities in both ionospheric regions were observed. We investigate the role of neutral atmospheric dynamics and instabilities in causing the ionospheric disturbances. A number of viable instability mechanisms rooted in neutral dynamics are identified.
G. A. Lehmacher, M. F. Larsen, and C. L. Croskey
Ann. Geophys., 33, 371–380, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-371-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-371-2015, 2015
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The descent of a sporadic E layer near 95km was observed with two rockets during a geomagnetically very quiet period. Four wind profiles showed that the location was surprisingly consistent with the neutral wind shear and a small electric field. Both electron probes found deep depletions just below the layers, which could be due to charged mesospheric smoke particles. Those have recently been detected in the mesosphere, but not yet in immediate connection with sporadic E.
A. Szewczyk, B. Strelnikov, M. Rapp, I. Strelnikova, G. Baumgarten, N. Kaifler, T. Dunker, and U.-P. Hoppe
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M. Rapp, J. M. C. Plane, B. Strelnikov, G. Stober, S. Ernst, J. Hedin, M. Friedrich, and U.-P. Hoppe
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Subject: Terrestrial atmosphere and its relation to the sun | Keywords: Turbulence
A quasi-experimental coastal region eddy diffusivity applied in the APUGRID model
Silvana Maldaner, Michel Stefanello, Luis Gustavo N. Martins, Gervásio Annes Degrazia, Umberto Rizza, Débora Regina Roberti, Franciano S. Puhales, and Otávio C. Acevedo
Ann. Geophys., 38, 603–610, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-603-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-603-2020, 2020
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In this paper, quasi-empirical convective eddy diffusivity parameterizations for a coastal site are obtained. In the derivation we used Taylor's theory of statistical diffusion and sonic anemometer observations collected at 11 levels on a 140 m high tower in a convective planetary boundary layer. The test of the derived coefficients was solved by solving the equation of diffusion–advection by the fractional step/locally one-dimensional (LOD) methods.
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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.
We used sounding rockets to obtain four high-resolution temperature profiles in the mesosphere...
