THE VISCOUS DAMPING OF ATMOSPHERIC GRAVITY WAVES

Abstract

Dissipation produced by viscous damping and thermal conduction is important in the study of atmospheric gravity waves, which are themselves important in a study of "irregular" motions in the upper atmosphere. The mathematics of this damping is considered in some detail here, and charts are given to assess the effects of viscous damping and thermal conduction at meteor heights in the upper atmosphere. The results of this paper are consistent with the conclusions of an earlier analysis, insofar as the two overlap, and extend the range of conditions considered.