Quantifying the Role of Short-Period Gravity Waves on the Antarctic Mesospheric Dynamics Using an Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper

提出了短周期（1小时）重力波对南极中低层热层（MLT）区域（~80 ~ 100 km）动力学的作用和重要性的重点研究方案。这些波主要受低层大气中深层对流、锋面活动、地形和强风切变的激发，向上输送能量和动量，并对MLT动力学产生深远影响。预计大部分的波浪强迫将发生在这种源占主导地位的中低纬度地区。然而，现在从南极半岛和沿海地区的研究地点大量探测到短周期波（表现出与中纬度事件相似的特征），它们在主要水平运动中表现出强烈的各向异性（因此它们的动量通量）。无线电探空仪的测量已经确定南极存在普遍存在的重力波活动，但迄今为止，还没有对南极内部深处MLT高度的短周期波特性进行详细测量。特别是，南极站具有独特的地理位置，可以研究这些波在MLT区域的过滤和穿透，其中很大一部分可能是在广阔的地理距离（几千公里）上传播的导管波。南极站的新图像测量与现有测量计划相结合，将为量化这些重力波在南极洲中部区域MLT动力学中的作用提供前所未有的能力。本研究也有助于研究生和本科生的培养和教育。

A focused plan is presented to investigate the role and importance of short period (1 hour) gravity waves on the dynamics of the Antarctic Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region (~80-100 km). Excited primarily by deep convection, frontal activity, topography, and strong wind shears in the lower atmosphere, these waves transport energy and momentum upwards where they have a profound influence on the MLT dynamics. Most of the wave forcing is expected to occur at mid-and low-latitudes where such sources predominate. However, short-period waves (exhibiting similar characteristics to mid-latitude events) have now been detected in copious quantities from research sites on the Antarctic Peninsula and the coastal regions exhibiting strong anisotropy in their dominant horizontal motions (and hence their momentum fluxes). Radiosonde measurements have established the existence of ubiquitous gravity wave activity at South Pole but, to date, there have been no detailed measurements of the properties of short-period waves at MLT heights deep in the Antarctic interior. In particular, the South Pole Station is uniquely situated to investigate the filtering and penetration of these waves into the MLT region, a substantial fraction of which may be ducted waves traveling over vast geographic distances (several thousand km). Novel image measurements at South Pole Station combined with existing measurement programs will provide an unprecedented capability for quantifying the role of these gravity waves on the regional MLT dynamics over central Antarctica. This research also contributes to the training and education of both the graduate and undergraduate students.