(YIP) VERTICAL COUPLING IN THE LOW-LATITUDE ATMOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE SYSTEM DUE TO GLOBAL-SCALE WAVES AND THEIR NONLINEAR INTERACTIONS
Abstract
Over the past two decades, a new realization has arrived on the scene of ionospherethermosphere (IT, 100-600 km) science: terrestrial weather significantly influences space weather. Due to the geometry of magnetic field lines near the equator, much of this coupling occurs at low latitudes (<30°) and is driven by ultra-fast tropical waves (UFTW) excited by deep convective processes in the tropical troposphere. UFTW propagate upwards into the IT system generating electron density variability that translates to uncertainties in navigation and communications systems, and neutral density variability that translates to uncertainties in orbital and reentry predictions, critical aspects to the performance and longevity of Air Force space assets. Despite recent progress, there are many unresolved questions regarding the variability of these UFTW, the secondary waves generated by their interactions, and the impacts of the entire spectrum of these waves on the low-latitude IT. Leveraging techniques previously employed by the PI, this proposed investigation will analyze data from a comprehensively suite of spaceborne assets (COSMIC-2, ICON, DMSP, Swarm-C, TIMED) in terms of latitude, local time, and longitude variability during 2020 - early 2021 and employ a state-of the-art model (WACCM-X) to answer: What roles do UFTW play in dynamically coupling tropical tropospheric variability with low-latitude IT variability? How prominent, prevalent, and persistent are nonlinear interactions involving UFTW, what added longitude-temporal variability do they impose, and where do they originate? Wave characteristics will be inferred on a daily basis. A pseudo-longitude spectral method will be applied to diagnose nonlinear interactions. An index of refraction will be developed and applied to the model output. Project results will have a significant influence on current and future Air Force missions as physical insights into vertical coupling mechanisms will help better understand atmospheric conditions under which observations are taking place, ultimately enabling improved space
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210328
Entities
People
- Federico Gasperini
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force