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Determination of turbulent energy dissipation rate directly from MF-radar determined velocity

Earth, Planets and Space volume 52, pages 137–141 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

MF radar systems are able to determine horizontal neutral winds in the mesosphere and, to some extent in the lower thermosphere by cross-correlations of signals received at spaced antennas. Essentially, by also computing auto-correlations, signal fading may be measured which in turn is thought to be largely attributable to turbulence. Hitherto, estimates of upper limits for the turbulent energy dissipation rate have been derived from the characteristic fading times. In this paper, we propose that power spectra of the velocity components themselves may be used to yield estimates of turbulent energy dissipation rate. 2-minute resolution velocities from the Universities of Saskatchewan, Tromsø and Nagoya joint MF radar at 69°N, 19°E are used in a pilot analysis to illustrate and ratify the method.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Auroral Observatory, University of Tromsø, Norway

    C. M. Hall

  2. STE Laboratory, Nagoya University, Japan

    S. Nozawa

  3. Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

    A. H. Manson & C. E. Meek

Authors
  1. C. M. Hall
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  2. S. Nozawa
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  3. A. H. Manson
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  4. C. E. Meek
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Correspondence to C. M. Hall.

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Hall, C.M., Nozawa, S., Manson, A.H. et al. Determination of turbulent energy dissipation rate directly from MF-radar determined velocity. Earth Planet Sp 52, 137–141 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03351622

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03351622

Keywords

  • Gravity Wave
  • Earth Planet Space
  • Energy Dissipation Rate
  • Inertial Subrange
  • Lower Thermosphere