A Study of Gravity Wave Variability, Saturation, and Turbulence Generation in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

Abstract

Our principal research objectives were to understand the characteristics of and the processes controlling the fluctuations of velocity, density, and optical properties due to wave and turbulence motions in the middle atmosphere. It was hoped that an increased understanding of these motions and their variability would lead to a better predictive capability for their influence on in situ and ground-based systems using this region in the future. Research progress was made on several fronts. Theoretical efforts focussed on wave propagation and saturation processes, the effects of varying stratification on wave saturation and wave transports of energy and momentum, and the influences of chemical recombination on ion and neutral fluctuations due to waves and turbulence.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA220018

Entities

People

  • David C Fritts

Organizations

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Backscattering
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Frequency
  • Gravity Waves
  • High Latitudes
  • Mesopause
  • Scattering
  • Space Shuttles
  • Stratified Fluids
  • Turbulence
  • Wave Power
  • Wave Propagation
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.