Vadas, S. L., & Nicolls, M. J. (2008). Using PFISR measurements and gravity wave dissipative theory to determine the neutral, background thermospheric winds. Geophysical research letters, 35(2).
Abstract
Understanding the propagation and dissipation of an atmospheric gravity wave (GW) in the thermosphere requires an accurate dissipative GW dispersion relation, the GW’s horizontal wavelength and period, and the background neutral winds and temperatures. Conversely, if the GW’s horizontal wavelength, period, and vertically-varying vertical wavelengths are known instead along with the background temperatures, then the background, horizontal neutral winds along the GW propagation direction can be calculated using GW dissipative theory. Recent daytime observations using the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR) located in Poker Flat, Alaska, the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR), have obtained these latter parameters. Using PFISR data for a GW on December 13, 2006, we calculate the average, background, horizontal neutral winds at z ∼ 160–240 km.