Articles | Volume 41, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-289-2023
© Author(s) 2023. 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-41-289-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
| 
24 Jul 2023
Regular paper |
| 24 Jul 2023
| 24 Jul 2023
Greenhouse gas effects on the solar cycle response of water vapour and noctilucent clouds
Ashique Vellalassery
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock,
Schloßstraße 6, 18225 Kühlungsborn, Germany
Gerd Baumgarten
Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock,
Schloßstraße 6, 18225 Kühlungsborn, Germany
Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly
Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock,
Schloßstraße 6, 18225 Kühlungsborn, Germany
Franz-Josef Lübken
Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock,
Schloßstraße 6, 18225 Kühlungsborn, Germany
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Mohamed Mossad, Irina Strelnikova, Robin Wing, Gerd Baumgarten, and Michael Gerding
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3267, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3267, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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We recorded atmospheric waves over seven years with a lidar in northern Norway, analysing temperature and wind from 35 to 60 km altitude. This yielded the first long-term picture of how wave energy varies with height and season at this location. Winter carried up to ten times more energy than summer, and the balance shifted with wavelength and frequency. Energy patterns often diverged from textbook slopes. These findings refine our view of the upper atmosphere at high latitudes.
Jens Fiedler, Gerd Baumgarten, Michael Gerding, Torsten Köpnick, Reik Ostermann, and Bernd Kaifler
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1995, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1995, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems (GI).
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We developed a system for frequency control and monitoring of pulsed high-power lasers. It works in real-time, controls the laser cavity length, and performs a spectral analyzes of each individual laser pulse. The motivation for this work was to improve the retrieval of Doppler winds measured by lidar in the middle atmosphere by taking the frequency stability of the lidar transmitter into account.
Natalie Kaifler, Bernd Kaifler, Markus Rapp, Guiping Liu, Diego Janches, Gerd Baumgarten, and Jose-Luis Hormaechea
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 14029–14044, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-14029-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-14029-2024, 2024
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Noctilucent clouds (NLCs) are silvery clouds that can be viewed during twilight and indicate atmospheric conditions like temperature and water vapor in the upper mesosphere. High-resolution measurements from a remote sensing laser instrument provide NLC height, brightness, and occurrence rate since 2017. Most observations occur in the morning hours, likely caused by strong tidal winds, and NLC ice particles are thus transported from elsewhere to the observing location in the Southern Hemisphere.
Jens Fiedler and Gerd Baumgarten
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 5841–5859, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5841-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5841-2024, 2024
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This article describes the current status of a lidar installed at ALOMAR in northern Norway. It has investigated the Arctic middle atmosphere on a climatological basis for 30 years. We discuss major upgrades of the system implemented during recent years, including methods for reliable remote operation of this complex lidar. We also show examples that illustrate the performance of the lidar during measurements at different altitude ranges and timescales.
Michael Gerding, Robin Wing, Eframir Franco-Diaz, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Fiedler, Torsten Köpnick, and Reik Ostermann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 2789–2809, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2789-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2789-2024, 2024
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This paper describes a new lidar system developed in Germany intended to study wind and temperature at night in the middle atmosphere. The paper explains how we have set up the system to work automatically and gives technical details for anyone who wants to build a similar system. We present a case study showing temperatures and winds at different altitudes. In a future article, we will present how we process the data and deal with uncertainties.
Thorben H. Mense, Josef Höffner, Gerd Baumgarten, Ronald Eixmann, Jan Froh, Alsu Mauer, Alexander Munk, Robin Wing, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1665–1677, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1665-2024, 2024
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A novel lidar system with five beams measured horizontal and vertical winds together, reaching altitudes up to 25 km. Developed in Germany, it revealed accurate horizontal wind data compared to forecasts, but vertical wind estimates differed. The lidar's capability to detect small-scale wind patterns was highlighted, advancing atmospheric research.
Eframir Franco-Diaz, Michael Gerding, Laura Holt, Irina Strelnikova, Robin Wing, Gerd Baumgarten, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1543–1558, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1543-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1543-2024, 2024
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We use satellite, lidar, and ECMWF data to study storm-related waves that propagate above Kühlungsborn, Germany, during summer. Although these events occur in roughly half of the years of the satellite data we analyzed, we focus our study on two case study years (2014 and 2015). These events could contribute significantly to middle atmospheric circulation and are not accounted for in weather and climate models.
Mohamed Mossad, Irina Strelnikova, Robin Wing, and Gerd Baumgarten
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 783–799, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-783-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-783-2024, 2024
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This numerical study addresses observational gaps' impact on atmospheric gravity wave spectra. Three methods, fast Fourier transform (FFT), generalized Lomb–Scargle periodogram (GLS), and Haar structure function (HSF), were tested on synthetic data. HSF is best for spectra with negative slopes. GLS excels for flat and positive slopes and identifying dominant frequencies. Accurately estimating these aspects is crucial for understanding gravity wave dynamics and energy transfer in the atmosphere.
Anna Lange, Gerd Baumgarten, Alexei Rozanov, and Christian von Savigny
Ann. Geophys., 40, 407–419, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-407-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-407-2022, 2022
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We investigate the influence of different parameters on the colour of noctilucent clouds (highest clouds in the atmosphere), using radiative transfer calculations. We determined the effect of the particle size, optical depth, single scattering/multiple scattering and ozone. For sufficiently large optical depth and for specific viewing geometries, ozone plays only a minor role in the blueish colour of noctilucent clouds (new result).
Franz-Josef Lübken and Josef Höffner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3815–3836, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3815-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3815-2021, 2021
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We present a new concept for a cluster of lidars that allows us to measure time-resolved profiles of temperatures, winds, and aerosols in the entire middle atmosphere for the first time, also covering regional horizontal scales (
four-dimensional coverage). Measurements are performed during day and night. The essential component is a newly developed laser with unprecedented performance. We present the first measurements. New observational capabilities in atmospheric physics are established.
Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, Alexander I. Pogoreltsev, Alexey B. Andreyev, Sergei P. Smyshlyaev, and Gerd R. Sonnemann
Ann. Geophys., 39, 255–265, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-255-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-255-2021, 2021
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Ground-based observations show a phase shift in semi-annual variation of excited hydroxyl emissions at mid-latitudes compared to those at low latitudes. This differs from the annual cycle at high latitudes. We found that this shift in the semi-annual cycle is determined mainly by the superposition of annual variations of T and O concentration. The winter peak for emission is determined exclusively by atomic oxygen concentration, whereas the summer peak is the superposition of all impacts.
Ronald Eixmann, Vivien Matthias, Josef Höffner, Gerd Baumgarten, and Michael Gerding
Ann. Geophys., 38, 373–383, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-373-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-373-2020, 2020
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The aim of this study is to bring local variabilities into a global context. To qualitatively study the impact of global waves on local measurements in winter, we combine local lidar measurements with global MERRA-2 reanalysis data. Our results show that about 98 % of the local day-to-day variability can be explained by the variability of waves with zonal wave numbers 1, 2 and 3. Thus locally measured effects which are not based on global wave variability can be investigated much better.
Irina Strelnikova, Gerd Baumgarten, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 479–499, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-479-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-479-2020, 2020
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One of the major problems of climate and weather modeling is atmospheric gravity waves. All measured meteorological parameters such as winds and temperature reveal superposition of large-scale background field and small-scale features created by waves. We developed an analysis technique that decomposes the measured winds and temperature into single waves, which allows for a detailed description of wave parameters. Application of this technique will improve understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
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
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 11443–11460, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-11443-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-11443-2019, 2019
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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.
Jens Faber, Michael Gerding, Andreas Schneider, Andreas Dörnbrack, Henrike Wilms, Johannes Wagner, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 4191–4210, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4191-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4191-2019, 2019
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Atmospheric measurements on rising balloons can be compromised by the balloon's wake. The aim of this study is to provide a tool for assessing the likelihood of encountering the balloon's wake at the position of the gondola. This includes an uncertainty analysis of the calculation and a retrieval of vertical winds. We find an average wake encounter probability of 28 % for a standard radiosonde. Additionally, we evaluate the influence of wake from smaller objects on turbulence measurements.
Jacob Zalach, Christian von Savigny, Arvid Langenbach, Gerd Baumgarten, Franz-Josef Lübken, and Adam Bourassa
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2019-267, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2019-267, 2019
Revised manuscript not accepted
Arvid Langenbach, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Fiedler, Franz-Josef Lübken, Christian von Savigny, and Jacob Zalach
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 4065–4076, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4065-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4065-2019, 2019
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Stratospheric aerosol backscatter ratios in the Arctic using Rayleigh, Mie and Raman backscattered signals were calculated. A backscatter ratio calculation during daytime was performed for the first time. Sharp aerosol layers thinner than 1 km over several days were observed. The seasonal cycle of stratospheric background aerosol in high latitudes including the summer months was calculated for the first time. Top altitude of the aerosol layer was found to reach up to 34 km, especially in summer.
Martin Eberhart, Stefan Löhle, Boris Strelnikov, Jonas Hedin, Mikhail Khaplanov, Stefanos Fasoulas, Jörg Gumbel, Franz-Josef Lübken, and Markus Rapp
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 2445–2461, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-2445-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-2445-2019, 2019
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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.
Uwe Berger, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Fiedler, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 4685–4702, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4685-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4685-2019, 2019
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In this paper we present a new description of statistical probability density functions (pdfs) of polar mesospheric clouds (PMC). We derive a new class of pdfs that describes successfully the probability statistic of ALOMAR lidar observations of different ice parameters. As a main advantage the new method allows us to connect different observational PMC distributions of lidar and satellite data, and also to compare with distributions from ice model studies.
Ove Havnes, Tarjei Antonsen, Gerd Baumgarten, Thomas W. Hartquist, Alexander Biebricher, Åshild Fredriksen, Martin Friedrich, and Jonas Hedin
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 1673–1683, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1673-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1673-2019, 2019
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We present a new method of analyzing data from rocket-borne aerosol detectors of the Faraday cup type (DUSTY). By using models for how aerosols are charged in the mesosphere and how they interact in a collision with the probes, fundamental parameters like aerosol radius, charge, and number density can be derived. The resolution can be down to ~ 10 cm, which is much lower than other available methods. The theory is furthermore used to analyze DUSTY data from the 2016 rocket campaign MAXIDUSTY.
Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, Martin Eberhart, Jonas Hedin, Boris Strelnikov, Franz-Josef Lübken, Markus Rapp, Stefan Löhle, Stefanos Fasoulas, Mikhail Khaplanov, Jörg Gumbel, and Ekaterina Vorobeva
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1207–1220, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1207-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1207-2019, 2019
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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
O2(b1Σg+) formation were analyzed. We found new coefficients for the fit function based on self-consistent temperature, atomic oxygen, and volume emission observations. This can be used for atmospheric band volume emission modeling or the estimation of atomic oxygen by known volume emission.
Raimund Wörl, Boris Strelnikov, Timo P. Viehl, Josef Höffner, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, Michael J. Taylor, Yucheng Zhao, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 77–88, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-77-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-77-2019, 2019
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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.
Jens Fiedler and Gerd Baumgarten
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 16051–16061, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-16051-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-16051-2018, 2018
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Ice particles of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) are used as a tracer to investigate tidal signatures in the altitude range from 80 to 90 km. For the first time solar and lunar tidal parameters in NLCs were determined simultaneously from the same data set. Solar variations are dominated by diurnal and semidiurnal tidal components. For NLC occurrence the lunar semidiurnal amplitude is approx. 50 % of the solar semidiurnal amplitude. Phases of solar components indicate upward propagating tides.
Michael Gerding, Jochen Zöllner, Marius Zecha, Kathrin Baumgarten, Josef Höffner, Gunter Stober, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 15569–15580, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15569-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15569-2018, 2018
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We describe the first comparative study of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) and mesospheric summer echoes at midlatitudes. Therefore, this study compares fresh clouds (small particles) with fully evolved clouds in the mesosphere, hinting at their evolution. It is shown that, in contrast to higher latitudes, here only a thin layer of fresh particles exist above the NLCs. This gives evidence that NLCs are not formed locally but are typically advected. This needs to be acknowledged in trend studies.
Gabriel Giono, Boris Strelnikov, Heiner Asmus, Tristan Staszak, Nickolay Ivchenko, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 5299–5314, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5299-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5299-2018, 2018
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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.
Francie Schmidt, Gerd Baumgarten, Uwe Berger, Jens Fiedler, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 8893–8908, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-8893-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-8893-2018, 2018
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Local time variations of polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) in the Northern Hemisphere are studied using a combination of a global circulation model and a microphysical model. We investigate the brightness, altitude, and occurrence of the clouds and find a good agreement between model and observations. The variations are caused by tidal structures in background parameters. The temperature varies by about 2 K and water vapor by about 3 ppmv at the altitude of ice particle sublimation near 81.5 km.
Rolf Rüfenacht, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Hildebrand, Franziska Schranz, Vivien Matthias, Gunter Stober, Franz-Josef Lübken, and Niklaus Kämpfer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 1971–1987, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1971-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1971-2018, 2018
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Wind information throughout the middle-atmosphere is crucial for the understanding of atmospheric dynamics but became available only recently, thanks to developments in remote sensing and modelling approaches. We present the first thorough assessment of the quality of the wind estimates by comparing co-located observations from lidar and microwave radiometry and opposing them to the major atmospheric models. Moreover we evaluated a new approach for measuring mesopause region wind by radiometry.
Kathrin Baumgarten, Michael Gerding, Gerd Baumgarten, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 371–384, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-371-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-371-2018, 2018
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Gravity waves (GWs) as well as solar tides are a key driving mechanism for the circulation in the Earth's atmosphere. The temporal variation of these waves is studied using a record long 10-day continuous Rayleigh–Mie–Raman lidar sounding at midlatitudes. This data set shows a large variability of these waves on timescales of a few days and therefore provides new insights into wave intermittency phenomena, which can help to improve model simulations.
Jens Hildebrand, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Fiedler, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 13345–13359, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13345-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13345-2017, 2017
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We present altitude profiles of winds and temperatures in the Arctic strato- and mesosphere obtained during three Januaries. The data show large year-to-year variations. We compare the observations to model data. For monthly mean profiles we find good agreement below 55 km altitude but also differences of up to 20 K and 20 m s-1 above. The fluctuations during single nights indicate gravity waves. The kinetic energy of such waves is typically 5 to 10 times larger than their potential energy.
Heiner Asmus, Tristan Staszak, Boris Strelnikov, Franz-Josef Lübken, Martin Friedrich, and Markus Rapp
Ann. Geophys., 35, 979–998, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-979-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-979-2017, 2017
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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.
Andreas Schneider, Johannes Wagner, Jens Faber, Michael Gerding, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 7941–7954, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7941-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7941-2017, 2017
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Wave breaking is studied with a combination of high-resolution turbulence observations with the balloon-borne instrument LITOS and mesoscale simulations with the WRF model. A relation between observed turbulent energy dissipation rates and the occurrence of wave patterns in modelled vertical winds is found, which is interpreted as the effect of wave saturation. The change of stability plays less of a role for mean dissipation for the flights examined.
Mikhail Y. Kulikov, Mikhail V. Belikovich, Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, Gerd R. Sonnemann, Tatiana S. Ermakova, Anton A. Nechaev, and Alexander M. Feigin
Ann. Geophys., 35, 677–682, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-677-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-677-2017, 2017
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
Ann. Geophys., 35, 547–565, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-547-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-547-2017, 2017
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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.
Johannes Wagner, Andreas Dörnbrack, Markus Rapp, Sonja Gisinger, Benedikt Ehard, Martina Bramberger, Benjamin Witschas, Fernando Chouza, Stephan Rahm, Christian Mallaun, Gerd Baumgarten, and Peter Hoor
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 4031–4052, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4031-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4031-2017, 2017
Franz-Josef Lübken, Gerd Baumgarten, Jens Hildebrand, and Francis J. Schmidlin
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 3911–3919, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3911-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3911-2016, 2016
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Wind measurements in the middle atmosphere (MA) are crucial to our understanding of atmospheric processes. We have recently developed a new laser-based method to measure winds called DoRIS (Doppler Rayleigh Iodine Spectrometer) which is the only technique to monitor winds in the middle atmosphere quasi-continuously. We
compare our measurements with rocket-borne measurements and find excellent
agreement above 30 km. DoRIS can now be considered as a validated method to measure winds in the MA.
Michael Gerding, Maren Kopp, Josef Höffner, Kathrin Baumgarten, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 3707–3715, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3707-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3707-2016, 2016
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Temperature soundings by lidar are an important tool for the understanding of the middle atmosphere, including gravity waves and tides. Though, mesospheric lidar soundings at daytime are rare. We describe a daylight-capable RMR lidar with optical bandwidths in the range of the Doppler broadened laser backscatter. We account for the systematic temperature error induced by the optical filter, and present examples of daylight-independent temperature sounding as well as tidal analysis.
J. Kiliani, G. Baumgarten, F.-J. Lübken, and U. Berger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 12897–12907, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-12897-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-12897-2015, 2015
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For the first time the shape of noctilucent cloud particles is analyzed with a 3-D Lagrangian model. Three-color lidar measurements are compared directly to optical modeling of NLC simulations with non-spherical shapes: a mix of elongated and flattened cylindrical ice particles consistent with measurements. Comparison is best if flattened particles form a majority, with mean axis ratio around 2.8. NLCs from cylindrical particles are slightly brighter and consist of fewer but larger ice particle.
M. Grygalashvyly
Ann. Geophys., 33, 923–930, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-923-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-923-2015, 2015
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The expressions that determine the altitude and number density at peak of the OH* layer were derived. OH* number density in the vicinity of the OH* layer is directly proportional to the atomic oxygen concentration and inversely proportional to the power of temperature. The peak of the layer number density is anti-correlated with the height of the peak. Atomic oxygen is responsible for the vertical separation of sub-layers with different vibrational numbers, and for the distance between them.
A. Schneider, M. Gerding, and F.-J. Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 2159–2166, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-2159-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-2159-2015, 2015
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Stratospheric turbulence is essential for the atmospheric energy budget. We compare in situ observations with our LITOS method based on spectral analysis of mm-scale wind fluctuations with the Thorpe method applied to standard radiosondes. Energy dissipations rates from both methods differ by up to 3 orders of magnitude. Nevertheless, mean values are in good agreement. We present case studies on both methods and examine the applicability of the Thorpe method for calculation of dissipation rates.
G. R. Sonnemann and M. Grygalashvyly
Ann. Geophys., 32, 277–283, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-32-277-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-32-277-2014, 2014
H. Wilms, M. Rapp, P. Hoffmann, J. Fiedler, and G. Baumgarten
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 11951–11963, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11951-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11951-2013, 2013
N. Kaifler, G. Baumgarten, J. Fiedler, and F.-J. Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 11757–11768, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11757-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11757-2013, 2013
G. R. Sonnemann and M. Grygalashvyly
Ann. Geophys., 31, 1591–1596, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1591-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1591-2013, 2013
A. Szewczyk, B. Strelnikov, M. Rapp, I. Strelnikova, G. Baumgarten, N. Kaifler, T. Dunker, and U.-P. Hoppe
Ann. Geophys., 31, 775–785, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-775-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-775-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Terrestrial atmosphere and its relation to the sun | Keywords: Noctilucent clouds
On the colour of noctilucent clouds
Anna Lange, Gerd Baumgarten, Alexei Rozanov, and Christian von Savigny
Ann. Geophys., 40, 407–419, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-407-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-40-407-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the influence of different parameters on the colour of noctilucent clouds (highest clouds in the atmosphere), using radiative transfer calculations. We determined the effect of the particle size, optical depth, single scattering/multiple scattering and ozone. For sufficiently large optical depth and for specific viewing geometries, ozone plays only a minor role in the blueish colour of noctilucent clouds (new result).
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Short summary
The solar cycle affects the H2O concentration in the upper mesosphere mainly in two ways: directly through photolysis and, at the time and place of NLC formation, indirectly through temperature changes. The H2O–Lyman-α response is modified by NLC formation, resulting in a positive response at the ice formation region (due to the temperature change effect on the ice formation rate) and a negative response at the sublimation zone (due to the photolysis effect).
The solar cycle affects the H2O concentration in the upper mesosphere mainly in two ways:...
