Terrestrial Influences on Space Weather due to Gravity Waves in the Arctic
Abstract
Variability in the near space environment influences satellite orbit, navigation, and communications. This region, which contains the thermosphere and ionosphere, can be influenced by both downward events such as solar activity, and upward coupling from the lower atmosphere. One aspect which causes upward coupling from the lower atmosphere into the near space region is gravity waves, also called buoyancy waves. These waves are much like waves in the ocean, and in the atmosphere they are responsible for the upward transport of momentum. When these waves break, they cause drag on the mean wind flow, alter background winds, and generate new waves. Gravity waves also contribute to variability in the near space region through perturbations in winds, temperatures, and densities. The generation of these waves can be caused by terrestrial events such as convection, or strong winds over mountain ranges. The objective of the proposed research is to determine terrestrial and lower atmospheric influences on the thermosphere and ionosphere through the investigation of gravity wave generation over Alaska using measurements from instrumentation at the Poker Flat Research Range and available satellite data. This subarctic geographic location contains multiple nearby mountain ranges which have the potential to strongly influence the generation of gravity waves dependent on meteorological conditions at the surface and within the lower atmosphere. The anticipated outcome and impact of this research is to improve space weather predictive capabilities through understanding the influences of tropospheric weather events on the near space region, which can be forecast in advance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA95502110189XX0
Entities
People
- Katrina Bossert
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Arizona State University
- United States Air Force