Dynamics of the Mesospheres and Lower Thermospheres of the Arctic and Antarctic

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The PI seeks to understand the dynamics of the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) regions of the Arctic and Antarctic, particularly emphasizing processes originating at lower altitudes. Primarily, he focuses on phenomena involving the origins and seasonal behaviors of (a) the 12-hour oscillation with zonal wavenumber s=1, (b) the migrating diurnal tide, (c) eastward-propagating waves with periods between 1.5 and 10 days, and (d) intradiurnal oscillations with periods between 6 and 11.5 hours. Using the Global-Scale Wave Model and nonlinear time-dependent Spectral Dynamics Model, the investigator ascertains likely mechanisms responsible for these polar-region wave phenomena. In addition, he conducts data analysis from global satellites on ozone densities, which will help ascertain whether insolation absorption by ozone possesses sufficient local time and longitudinal variations to affect the semidiurnal tide observed in polar mesopause regions.