WINDS AND CIRCULATIONS IN THE MESOSPHERE
Abstract
Some preliminary analysis are presented of the winds and circulations in the mesosphere based upon the first year of data collected by the Meteorological Rocket Network. Differences between winds determined from radar targets released by rockets and those from the conventional balloon technique are discussed briefly. T er atmosphere, Meteorological data, *Sounding rockets, Diurnal variations, North America, *Wind. Open-ended Terms: Mesosphere. Some preliminary analysis are presented of the winds and circulations in the mesosphere based upon the first year of data collected by the Meteorological Rocket Network. Differences between winds determined from radar targets released by rockets and those from the conventional balloon technique are discussed briefly. The scale of seasonal, daily, and vertical wind variations is illustrated by wind profiles and time cross-sections. They demonstrate clearly the seasonal reversal of mesospheric winds and the existence of large, wind-speed variations over periods of only several days. They also reveal that vertical wind shears of 0.030 per sec, and probably greater, exist at about 180,000 ft. A relationship is indicated between mesospheric circulation changes and subsequent tropospheric circulation changes. Examples are shown of the circulation over North America in spring and summer at heights up to 180,000 ft. Analysis of rocket wind-data indicates that the techniques are sound and that much can be learned by more intensive analysis. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0255660
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Keegan
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories