This work analyzes the medium-scale atmospheric gravity waves observed by ground-based airglow imaging over the Antarctic continent. Medium-scale gravity waves refer to waves larger than 50 km of horizontal wavelength, and have not been analyzed in that region so far. Wave parameters and horizontal propagation characteristics were obtained by a recently improved methodology and are described thoroughly.

This study explores intense CGWs based on ground – based and multi – satellite observations over Southern Brazil, revealing significant airglow perturbations and strong momentum release. Triggered by deep convections and enabled by weaker wind field, these CGWs reached the mesopause and thermosphere. Consistent detections via OI and OH airglow emissions confirm their vertical propagation, while asymmetric thermosphere propagation is linked to Doppler-induced wavelength changes.

This present work investigates the propagation dynamics and the sources–source mechanisms of quasi-monochromatic gravity waves (QMGWs) observed between April 2017 and April 2022 at São Martinho da Serra. The QMGW parameters were estimated using a 2D spectral analysis, and their source locations were identified using a backward ray-tracing model. Furthermore, the propagation conditions, sources, and source mechanisms of the QMGWs were extensively studied.