Measurements of tidal oscillations above 120 kilometers
By: S.P. Zimmerman, F.A. Marcos
Contributors: Marcos, Frank A.; Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (U.S.). Upper Atmosphere Physics Laboratory
Series: Environmental research papers -- no. 266; Environmental research papers (Hanscom AFB, Mass.) -- no. 266
Publisher: United States Air Force, Office of Aerospace Research, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Upper Atmosphere Physics Laboratory
Published: 1967
Place of publication: L.G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 10
Subjects: Winds aloft; Atmospheric circulation
Other titles: Measurements of tidal oscillations above one hundred and twenty kilometers
Description: Studies of the altitude variations of upper atmospheric winds indicate oscillatory components of the horizontal wind motion in the vertical plane. The smaller scales of these oscillatory motions have been shown to be the lengths predicted by the theory of the viscous limited internal gravity waves. Measurements of the large scales in the 120 to 180 km altitude range have shown a marked correlation to the pressure scale height. Analysis of these large-scale vertical wavelengths indicates that the equivalent depth (h) of the atmosphere corresponds to two of the eigenmodes of earth's atmosphere or model atmosphere of the solar semidiurnal tide predicted by the Laplace tidal equation. These are, respectively, the (2, 4) mode which appears to dominate in the summer, and the (2, 6) mode which is dominant in the winter. (Author).
Notes: "AFCRL-67-0131."

"April 1967."

"Upper Atmosphere Physics Laboratory Project 8605."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 9-10).