The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes
The VHF radar system at Aberystwyth (52.4° N, 4.1°E) has been used to make high-time-resolution, multi-beam observations of mesospheric summer echo layers. These show that the altitude and the sense of vertical movement of the layers can vary over time-scales of minutes and horizontal scales of...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
1997-08-01
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| Series: | Annales Geophysicae |
| Online Access: | https://www.ann-geophys.net/15/1037/1997/angeo-15-1037-1997.pdf |
| _version_ | 1819034296562745344 |
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| author | D. A. Hooper L. Thomas |
| author_facet | D. A. Hooper L. Thomas |
| author_sort | D. A. Hooper |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The VHF radar system at Aberystwyth (52.4°
N, 4.1°E) has been used to make high-time-resolution, multi-beam observations
of mesospheric summer echo layers. These show that the altitude and the sense of
vertical movement of the layers can vary over time-scales of minutes and
horizontal scales of kilometres. In general, the altitude profiles of
signal-to-noise ratio provide evidence of a bifurcated structure with sharp
changes in the horizontal wind vector and vertical velocity, and enhanced
spectral width occurring at the bifurcation level. The implications of the
small-scale structure for studies of the aspect sensitivity of radar returns are
discussed, and the changes in wind-field at the bifurcation level are compared
with 'wind corners' observed in rocket studies of the mesosphere at polar
latitudes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:31:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f85e71230f4c42a8a0bf286f9e002603 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0992-7689 1432-0576 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:31:29Z |
| publishDate | 1997-08-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annales Geophysicae |
| spelling | doaj.art-f85e71230f4c42a8a0bf286f9e0026032022-12-21T19:11:32ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05761997-08-01151037104710.1007/s00585-997-1037-7The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudesD. A. Hooper0L. Thomas1Department of Physics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, SY23 3Bz, UKDepartment of Physics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, SY23 3Bz, UKThe VHF radar system at Aberystwyth (52.4° N, 4.1°E) has been used to make high-time-resolution, multi-beam observations of mesospheric summer echo layers. These show that the altitude and the sense of vertical movement of the layers can vary over time-scales of minutes and horizontal scales of kilometres. In general, the altitude profiles of signal-to-noise ratio provide evidence of a bifurcated structure with sharp changes in the horizontal wind vector and vertical velocity, and enhanced spectral width occurring at the bifurcation level. The implications of the small-scale structure for studies of the aspect sensitivity of radar returns are discussed, and the changes in wind-field at the bifurcation level are compared with 'wind corners' observed in rocket studies of the mesosphere at polar latitudes.https://www.ann-geophys.net/15/1037/1997/angeo-15-1037-1997.pdf |
| spellingShingle | D. A. Hooper L. Thomas The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes Annales Geophysicae |
| title | The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes |
| title_full | The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes |
| title_fullStr | The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes |
| title_full_unstemmed | The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes |
| title_short | The small-scale structure of VHF mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid-latitudes |
| title_sort | small scale structure of vhf mesospheric summer echo layers observed at mid latitudes |
| url | https://www.ann-geophys.net/15/1037/1997/angeo-15-1037-1997.pdf |
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