CEDAR: Airglow Imaging of Atmospheric Gravity Waves

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This project involves the study of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) using airglow imaging data. Gravity waves are important to the mesopause region for, among other things, their effect on dynamics as well as a provision of a major energy source for the region. This is a true CEDAR link coupling the troposphere to the middle and upper atmosphere. AGWs, primarily generated in the troposphere, propagate horizontally and vertically to the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, causing perturbations to the atmospheric airglow layers. These perturbations act as tracers of the AGWs as they provide a signature for their horizontal wavelength, apparent phase speed, source directions, amplitude, and related wave parameters. This project, a follow-up study to the ANLC/ALOHA program, will continue the evolution of gravity wave exploration through participation in the Starfire Optical Range Experiment, a measurement program at Utah State University and the Bear Lake Observatory, and a study of the sources of AGW through analysis of phase fronts from the all-sky data base.