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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS1984

Aspects of Planetary Wave Transports in the Middle Atmosphere

The heat and momentum flux due to standing planetary waves in the stratosphere were calculated on the basis of satellite data. The convergence of these fluxes was investigated and shows an apparent heating and acceleration of the mean zonal state. The Eliassen-Palm flux divergence calculation shows that the mean zonal state is effectively decelerated. Furthermore, the interaction between ultra long waves and k = 4 - 15 in the troposphere was investigated for a winter period and is discussed in connection with the geopotential wave one amplitude, which increases before a stratospheric warming event occurs.

Schmitz, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Excerpts from the paper: Research Status and Recommendation from the Alaska Workshop on Gravity Waves and Turbulence in the Middle Atmosphere, part 1.3A

Internal gravity waves are disturbances whose intrinsic frequencies k(c - u) are smaller than the Brunt-Vaisala frequency (N). Their importance arises because: they are the major components of the total flow and temperature variability fields of the mesosphere (i.e., shears and lapse rates) and hence constitute the likely sources of turbulence; and they are associated with fluxes of momentum that communicate stresses over large distances. For example, gravity waves exert a drag on the flow in the upper mesosphere. However, in order for gravity waves to exert a net drag on the atmosphere, they must be attenuated. There are two general types of processes that seek to attenuate gravity waves: dissipation and saturation. Dissipation is any process that is effective independent of the wave amplitude, while saturation occurs when certain wave amplitude conditions are met. Radiative damping is an example of dissipation, while convective overturning is an example of saturation. The two processes are not mutually exclusive.

Fritts, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

General circulation of the middle atmosphere, part 1.4B

In both the tropical and extratropical regions there are a large number of dynamical problems which can be addressed by mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radars. The distinct advantage the MST radar has over rocket observations is continuous data acquisition. Without a doubt, the time-space spectrum of the mesospheric flow field is rich in high frequency motions associated with gravity waves rather than turbulent (random) fluctuations, and these events are particularly amenable to analysis with continuous data sets. In addition to the high frequency motions these are longer period fluctuations in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere wind fields which, combined with temperature fields derived from satellite data or lidars, can greatly enhance our knowledge of the upper atmosphere.

Schoeberl, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Electrical structure in the high-latitude middle atmosphere

Large V/m electric fields, both horizontal and vertical, have been observed within bounded regions of the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere. They seem to occur only in regions where the electrical conductivity is a few times 10 to the -10th S/m or less and appear to be current limited. While low conductivity is necessary, it is not a sufficient condition for occurrence. The observed large horizontal electric fields were found to be anticorrelated with the local neutral wind. Large variations in the conductivity were also observed to occur with fluctuations in magnetic activity, and these were found to be consistent with measured variations in energy deposition during auroral phenomena. Theoretical concepts of mapping of electric fields downward from the thermosphere along equipotential magnetic field lines were shown to hold qualitatively in the D-region at the mV/m level. Perturbations affecting such models were determined to be small.

Maynard, N. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Wind structure and variability in the middle atmosphere during the November 1980 energy budget campaign

Between November 6 and December 1, 1980 series of rocket observations were obtained from two sites in northern Scandinavia (68 deg N) as part of the Energy Budget Campaign, revealing the presence of significant vertical and temporal changes in the wind structure. These changes coincided with different geomagnetic conditions, i.e. quiet and enhanced. Large amounts of rocket data were gathered from high latitudes over such a short interval of time. Prior to November 16 the meridional wind component above 60 km was found to be positive (southerly), while the magnitude of the zonal wind component incresed with altitude. After November 16 the meridional component became negative (northerly) and the magnitude of the zonal wind component was noted to decrease with altitude. Time-sections of the perturbations of the zonal wind show the presence of vertically propagating waves, which suggest gravity wave activity. These waves increase in length from 1 km near 30 km to over 12 km near 80 km. The observational techniques employed Andoya (69 deg N), Norway, and Esrange (67.9 deg N), Sweden, consisted of chaff foil, instrumented rigid spheres, chemical trails, inflatable spheres and parachutes.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Measurements of the angular distribution of auroral-zone bremsstrahlung in the middle atmosphere

The angular distributions of atmospheric electron bremsstrahlung at 45-65 km are determined by analyzing NaI-scintillation-detector measurements of X-rays in energy ranges upward of 5, 10, 20, and 40 keV obtained in two rocket flights over Alaska during March 1978 as part of the Aurorozone II project (Goldberg et al., 1984). The data are presented graphically and characterized, with a focus on periods of post-breakup auroral precipitation events. Findings reported include generally uniform upward and downward intensities, with the upward intensity typically 1-10 percent of the total; a smooth zenith-nadir transition of angular width less than + or - 20 deg at 40 keV; a downward energy spectrum dominated by direct X-rays at 65 km but much less so at lower altitudes (where Compton-scattered X-rays play a greater role); and a completely scattered-X-ray-dominated upward energy spectrum. Reasonable agreement is found when these data are compared with the theoretical bremsstrahlung calculations of Berger and Seltzer (1972).

Barcus, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Noctilucent cloud formation and the effects of water vapor variability on temperatures in the middle atmosphere

To investigate the occurrence of low temperatures and the formation of noctilucent clouds in the summer mesosphere, a one-dimensional time-dependent photochemical-thermal numerical model of the atmosphere between 50 and 120 km has been constructed. The model self-consistently solves the coupled photochemical and thermal equations as perturbation equations from a reference state assumed to be in equilibrium and is used to consider the effect of variability in water vapor in the lower mesosphere on the temperature in the region of noctilucent cloud formation. It is found that change in water vapor from an equilibrium value of 5 ppm at 50 km to a value of 10 ppm, a variation consistent with observations, can produce a roughly 15 K drop in temperature at 82 km. It is suggested that this process may produce weeks of cold temperatures and influence noctilucent cloud formation.

Mckay, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A ray tracing model of gravity wave propagation and breakdown in the middle atmosphere

Lindzen (1981, 1984) has considered the effects of monochromatic, steady gravity waves propagating into the upper atmosphere. These waves reach such large amplitudes in the mesosphere that they become convectively unstable. The wave is effectively dissipated by the convection, and the pseudomomentum carried by the wave is transferred to the basic flow. The net effect is to accelerate the background flow to the phase speed of the breaking gravity wave. Schoeberl et al. (1983) have discussed modifications to Lindzen's parameterization. The present paper has the objective to develop a type of parameterization scheme for wave breaking that, in principle, can handle lateral wave propagation. Ray tracing is used to follow the gravity wave packets through varying wind conditions. The theory considered uses both the propagation properties of the wave packet and the concept of the conservation of wave action density to determine the local amplitude and position of the wave packet.

Schoeberl, M. R.↗