Study of Gravity Waves In The Mesosphere Lower Thermosphere Region Using Meteor Radar, Lidar and All-Sky CCD Imagers

• Grant number: 12/08769-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Prado Batista
• Grantee: Vânia Fátima Andrioli Novaes Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Gravity waves GW) are the result of the imbalance between the gravity and pressure gradient forces which act as restoring forces in the atmosphere. These waves are responsible for energy and momentum flux transport from the lower to upper atmosphere. Various studies have shown that the summer mesosphere is colder than the winter one at middle latitudes, which is incompatible with simple radiative equilibrium. This phenomenon is explained in terms of GW breaking and dissipation, with energy and momentum being deposited in the region. In the present work we will use atmospheric data, between 80 and 100 km altitude, measured by all-sky CCD imagers, lidar and meteor radar over Cachoeira Paulista (22.7 ° S, 45 ° W) and Sao Jose dos Campos (23.1 ° S, 45.9 °W). These data will enable a comprehensive study of the momentum flux and variance due to GW over this region. Furthermore, the use of reliable techniques is necessary for a good reliability in results. It is known that prevailing winds in the MLT region, mainly atmospheric tides, may influence the measurements of variance and momentum flux due to GW. Hocking's (2005) technique, that was used during the thesis work of this scholarship candidate, have shown the tidal influence on the measured variances, this deficiency was discovered and corrected by the candidate in her thesis, making the measurements more reliable. Thus, we intend to use this technique as a parameter in the comparison of the results and the validation of the other techniques to be used. The implementation of this project will enable that the momentum flux and energy due to GW to be inferred more reliably. In conclusion, this study will contribute significantly to research in GW, as well as the general dynamics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere.

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ANDRIOLI, V. F.; BATISTA, P. P.; CLEMESHA, B. R.; SCHUCH, N. J.; BURITI, R. A.. Multi-year observations of gravity wave momentum fluxes at low and middle latitudes inferred by all-sky meteor radar. Annales Geophysicae, v. 33, n. 9, p. 1183-1193, 2015. (12/08769-9)

ARAUJO RESENDE, LAYSA CRISTINA; BATISTA, INEZ STACIARINI; DENARDINI, CLEZIO MARCOS; CARRASCO, ALEXANDER JOSE; ANDRIOLI, VANIA DE FATIMA; MORO, JULIANO; BATISTA, PAULO PRADO; CHEN, SONY SU. Competition between winds and electric fields in the formation of blanketing sporadic E layers at equatorial regions. EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE, v. 68, DEC 1 2016. (12/08445-9, 14/11198-9, 12/08769-9)

ARAUJO RESENDE, LAYSA CRISTINA; BATISTA, INEZ STACIARINI; DENARDINI, CLEZIO MARCOS; BATISTA, PAULO PRADO; CARRASCO, ALEXANDER JOSE; ANDRIOLI, VANIA DE FATIMA; MORO, JULIANO. Simulations of blanketing sporadic E-layer over the Brazilian sector driven by tidal winds. JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS, v. 154, p. 104-114, FEB 2017. (12/08445-9, 14/11198-9, 12/08769-9)

ANDRIOLI, V. F.; FRITTS, D. C.; BATISTA, P. P.; CLEMESHA, B. R.; JANCHES, D.. Diurnal variation in gravity wave activity at low and middle latitudes. Annales Geophysicae, v. 31, n. 11, p. 2123-2135, 2013. (12/08769-9)

ARAUJO RESENDE, LAYSA CRISTINA; BATISTA, INEZ STACIARINI; DENARDINI, CLEZIO MARCOS; CARRASCO, ALEXANDER JOSE; ANDRIOLI, VANIA DE FATIMA; MORO, JULIANO; BATISTA, PAULO PRADO; CHEN, SONY SU. Competition between winds and electric fields in the formation of blanketing sporadic E layers at equatorial regions. EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE, v. 68, p. 14-pg., 2016-12-01. (14/11198-9, 12/08769-9, 12/08445-9)