The Effects of Local Body Forces and Re-Radiated Gravity Waves in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

研究人员将使用计算机模型来更好地描述由重力波耗散引起的中间层体力，并确定这些重力波在低层热层的传播。中间层和低层热层（MLT）的动力学受到波浪破碎和动量输运的强烈影响。先前的工作表明，局部的物体力重新辐射次级重力波，这些波传播到低层热层。因此，这些次级重力波可能在热层的动量收支中起重要作用。研究人员将使用现有的模型来模拟MLT区域的小尺度动力学和重力波的影响。气辉和雷达数据将用于量化MLT体力，这将用于模拟二次重力波的产生和传播。这项研究有可能确定一个新的、重要的过程来调节中低层大气中的能量流动，这也可能应用于重力波破坏和动量转移很重要的恒星和行星大气。

The investigators will use computer models to better characterize the mesospheric body forces resulting from gravity wave dissipation and determine the propagation of these gravity waves into the lower thermosphere. The dynamics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) is strongly influenced by wave breaking and momentum transport. Prior work has shown that localized body forces re-radiate secondary gravity waves which propagate into the lower thermosphere. These secondary gravity waves may therefore play a significant role in the momentum budget of the thermosphere. The investigators will used existing models to simulate the small-scale dynamics of the MLT region and the effects of gravity waves. Airglow and radar data will be used to quantify the MLT body forces, which will be used to model the generation and propagation of secondary gravity waves. This study has the potential to identify a new, important process regulating energy flow in the middle and lower atmosphere that may also have application to stellar and planetary atmospheres where gravity wave breaking and momentum transfer are important.