EAGER: Exploration of the Ocean Surface for the Source of Arecibo's Continuous Thermospheric Gravity Waves

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)资助的。调查员将利用卫星测高数据确定在阿雷西博天文台进行的热层声波重力波观测的具体海洋来源。阿雷西博天文台是世界上最大的大气雷达，研究将充分利用其高大气分辨率能力。这位研究人员和他的同事此前发现，波多黎各阿雷西博天文台(AO)上方的高层大气中存在连续波。已经确定，这些波动是中性大气波通过高空大气电离部分从120公里高度传播到650公里以上高度的结果。研究工作将调查热层波的产生过程是否是阿雷西博附近海洋独有的(例如，与波多黎各海沟有关)，或者是否可以在其他全球地点找到。更好地理解这些过程将极大地提高我们对重力波传播的理解。重点将放在确定能够在5-90分钟范围内产生宽谱水平AGW波长和周期的海洋结构上。来自重复轨道的卫星测高测量将用于搜索远低于重力的海浪，并确定表面波长和波动方向。此外，还将研究由于安的列斯洋流的存在而产生的其他海洋特征以及中尺度涡旋的性质。此外，还将详细调查埃克曼上升流、海槽、边缘波或开尔文波的迹象，以确定它们对阿雷西博观测到的声重力波传播和热层特征的影响。调查者涉及年轻的本科生，他们将参与数据分析，并获得宝贵的学习经验。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).The investigator will utilize satellite altimetry data to identify the specific ocean source responsible for thermospheric Acoustic Gravity Wave observations made at the Arecibo observatory. The Arecibo Observatory is the largest atmospheric radar in the world and the research will make full use of its high atmospheric resolving capabilities. The investigator and colleagues have previously discovered that a continuum of waves is present in the upper atmosphere above Arecibo Observatory (AO), Puerto Rico. It has been determined that these fluctuations are the result of the propagation of neutral atmospheric waves through the ionized portion of the upper atmosphere from 120 km altitude to heights greater than 650 km. The research effort will investigate whether the thermospheric wave production process is unique to the ocean near Arecibo (e.g., related to the Puerto Rican Trench), or whether it can be found at other global locations. A better understanding of these processes will greatly improve our understanding of gravity wave propagation. Attention will be focused on identifying ocean structures capable of producing a broad spectrum of horizontal AGW wavelengths and periods in the range of 5-90 min. Satellite altimetry measurements from repeat orbits will be used to search for far infragravity ocean waves and determine surface wavelength and direction of wave motion. In addition other ocean features created by the presence of the Antilles current will be examined as well as the nature of the mesoscale eddies. In addition, signs of Ekman upwelling, seiches, edge waves, or Kelvin waves will be investigated in detail to determine their impact on Acoustic Gravity Wave propagation and thermospheric signatures observed by Arecibo.The investigator is involving young undergraduates students, who will participate in the data analysis as well as receive a valuable learning experience.