Multi-static spatial and angular studies of polar mesospheric summer echoes combining MAARSY and KAIRA
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Published:2018-07-06
Issue:13
Volume:18
Page:9547-9560
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ISSN:1680-7324
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Container-title:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Atmos. Chem. Phys.
Author:
Chau Jorge L., McKay Derek, Vierinen Juha P., La Hoz Cesar, Ulich Thomas, Lehtinen Markku, Latteck RalphORCID
Abstract
Abstract. Polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSEs) have been long associated with
noctilucent clouds (NLCs). For large ice particles sizes and relatively high
ice densities, PMSEs at 3 m Bragg wavelengths are known to be good tracers of
the atmospheric wind dynamics and to be highly correlated with NLC
occurrence. Combining the Middle Atmosphere ALOMAR Radar System (MAARSY) and
the Kilpisjärvi Atmospheric Imaging Receiver Array (KAIRA), i.e.,
monostatic and bistatic observations, we show for the first time direct
evidence of limited-volume PMSE structures drifting more than 90 km almost
unchanged. These structures are shown to have horizontal widths of
5–15 km and are separated by 20–60 km, consistent with structures due to atmospheric
waves previously observed in NLCs from the ground and from space. Given the
lower sensitivity of KAIRA, the observed features are attributed to echoes
from regions with high Schmidt numbers that provide a large radar
cross section. The bistatic geometry allows us to determine an upper value
for the angular sensitivity of PMSEs at meter scales. We find no
evidence for strong aspect sensitivity for PMSEs, which is consistent
with recent observations using radar imaging approaches. Our results indicate
that multi-static all-sky interferometric radar observations of PMSEs could be
a powerful tool for studying mesospheric wind fields within large geographic
areas.
Funder
Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
Subject
Atmospheric Science
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