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Article
Simulated Ducting of High-frequency Atmospheric Gravity Waves in the Presence of Background Winds
Geophysical Research Letters
  • Yonghui Yu, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Michael P. Hickey, Ph.D., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Submitting Campus
Daytona Beach
Department
Physical Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication/Presentation Date
6-5-2007
Disciplines
Abstract/Description

A new nonlinear and time-dependent model is used to derive the total perturbation energy flux of two gravity wave packets propagating from the troposphere to the lower thermosphere. They are excited by a heat source and respectively propagate in an eastward and westward direction in the presence of a zonal wind. Analysis of the refractive index, the power spectra and the total perturbation energy flux allows us to correctly interpret the ducting characteristics of these two wave packets. In our study the wind acts as a directional filter to the wave propagations and causes noticeable spectral variations at higher altitudes. We are the first that time-resolve the total perturbation energy flux influenced by the winds and the simulations have immediate impacts to the airglow observations on certain wave spectra.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029591
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Grant or Award Name
NSF ATM-0408407 and NASA NNG04G196G
Citation Information
Yu, Y., and M. P. Hickey (2007), Simulated ducting of high-frequency atmospheric gravity waves in the presence of background winds, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L11103, doi:10.1029/2007GL029591.