Neutral Atmospheric Waves in the Thermosphere and Tropospheric Weather Systems.
Abstract
Neutral atmospheric density profiles between 130 and 225 km obtained by a cold cathode ion gauge onboard the AE-C spacecraft frequently exhibit considerable wave-like structure. This structure is interpreted to be propagating internal gravity waves. We have attempted to correlate the probability of occurrence and amplitude of the waves with several parameters of geophysical importance. Only weak or no correlation is found with the common parameters, such as Kp, for which a dependence of the average total density is known to exist. The waves do seem to appear in certain preferred geographical locations, however. These locations tend to coincide with regions of high wind speeds in the upper troposphere. This leads us to suggest that the majority of the observed waves originate in the troposphere, subsequently propagating upwards into the thermosphere. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 10, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA041239
Entities
People
- Carl J. Rice
- Lawrence R. Sharp
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation