Collaborative Research: Radar and Optical Observations of Dynamics in the Tropical Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

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Turbulent layers in the mesosphere are studied using high spatial resolution measurements with the 50 MHz Jicamarca, Peru backscatter radar, high spectral resolution OH airglow measurements, and all-sky imaging diagnostics at two sites in Peru. 150 m resolution with the Jicamarca radar has only recently become possible through hardware and data taking upgrades at that radar. The objective of the research is to identify turbulent layer generation mechanisms and their relative effectiveness as a function of season. Like the mesospheric circulation pattern itself, it is expected that the turbulent layer triggering mechanisms are also modulated by the semiannual, annual, and quasi-biennial oscillations. Data acquired during eight distinct observations periods are interpreted within the context of numerical models of D-region plasma and neutral structures now available through NCAR collaboration.