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

调查人员将使用计算机模型更好地描述重力波消散产生的中间层体力，并确定这些重力波向低热层的传播。 波浪破碎和动量输运对中层和低热层的动力学有很大的影响。 先前的工作表明，局部化的体力再辐射二次重力波传播到较低的热层。 因此，这些次级重力波可能在热大气层的动量收支中发挥重要作用。 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。 气辉和雷达数据将被用来量化MLT的体力，这将被用来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，调节中，低层大气中的能量流，也可能有应用到恒星和行星大气中的重力波破碎和动量转移是重要的。

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.