CEDAR: New Opportunities for Mesospheric and Lower Thermospheric Research at Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (ALO)

研究人员将利用犹他州立大学大气激光雷达观测站的观测数据来研究中间层和低热层的温度结构。最近对激光雷达的升级使系统的灵敏度提高了30倍。第一项任务是继续和扩大正在进行的研究，这些研究涉及将测量的温度与使用第一性原理模型计算的温度进行比较。差异的解决将揭示重力波和化学在加热中的作用，以及大尺度环流模式的影响。第二项任务是将发生在80公里以下的过程与以前无法测量的较高海拔的过程联系起来。第三项任务是寻找低热层中平流层风浪的影响。最后，激光雷达将被用来寻找中纬度地区夜光云形成的进一步证据。以前仅限于高纬度地区，1999年6月在犹他州上空出现的夜光云可能是全球气候变化导致的中层温度较低的迹象。

The investigators will use observations from the Atmospheric Lidar Observatory at Utah State University to study the temperature structure of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. A recent upgrade to the lidar has increased the sensitivity of the system by a factor of 30. The first task is to continue and extend ongoing research that involves comparison of measured temperatures with those computed using a first-principles model. Resolution of discrepancies will reveal information about the role of gravity waves and chemistry in heating, and the effects of the large-scale circulation pattern. The second task is to relate processes occurring below 80 km altitude with processes at higher altitudes where measurements have not been possible before. The third task is to look for effects of stratospheric winds and waves in the lower thermosphere. Finally, the lidar will be used to look for further evidence of noctilucent cloud formation at mid-latitudes. Previously confined to high latitudes only, the appearance of a noctilucent cloud over Utah in June of 1999 may be an indication of cooler mesospheric temperatures caused by global climate change.