Pamela Loughmiller (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), M.P. Hickey (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University), M. C. Kelley (Cornell University), P. P. Wintersteiner (Arcon Corporation), R. H. Picard (Air Force Research Laboratory), P. P. Wintersteiner (Air Force Research Laboratory), J. R. Winick (Air Force Research Laboratory), and E. M. Dewan (Air Force Research Laboratory)
Keywords: Atmospherics
Abstract:
In mid-ladtitude studies of the dynamics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, some of the most intriguing phenomena observed high over the Hawaiian night skies are internal bores. These events affecting chemiluminescence are documented in monochromatic airglow images taken by high performance all-sky CCD imaging systems operating at the Maui Space Surveillance Site on top of Haleakala Crater. Data continues to be collected as part of the ongoing, collaborative Maui – Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MALT) campaign, jointly sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Bolstered by the Maui-MALT dataset, several theories now exist for mesospheric bores, agreeing in principle that they are likely nonlinear structures spawned by gravity waves and propagating within ducted waveguide regions. We investigate these plausible theories using a multi-instrument 2 approach, looking for correlation between bores and thermal inversion layers or wind shears, both potential guiding structures for lateral, geographic bore propagation.
Date of Conference: September 12-15, 2007
Track: Atmospherics