Mesopause dynamics from the scandinavian triangle of radars within the PSMOS-DATAR Project

• Published in: Annales geophysicae (1988) Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 367 - 386
• Main Authors: MANSON, A. H, MEEK, C. E, HALL, C. M, NOZAWA, S, MITCHELL, N. J, PANCHEVA, D, SINGER, W, HOFFMANN, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Katlenburg-Lindau European Geophysical Society 2004
• Subjects: Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Marine; Physics of the high neutral atmosphere; Physics of the ionosphere; Physics of the magnetosphere; Arctic region; ANW, Canada; Scandinavia; ANE, Norway, Troms, Tromsoe; Climatology; Mid latitude; Bias; Solar tide; solar wind; Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; Atmospheric dynamics; Correlation analysis; meteors; Gravity wave; Mesopause; waves and tides: instrument and techniques; polar regions; Planetary wave; spatial variations
• ISSN: 0992-7689; 1432-0576; 1432-0576
• DOI: 10.5194/angeo-22-367-2004

The "Scandinavian Triangle" is a unique trio of radars within the DATAR Project (Dynamics and Temperatures from the Arctic MLT (60–97km) region): Andenes MF radar (69°N, 16°E); Tromsø MF radar (70°N, 19°E) and Esrange "Meteor" radar (68°N, 21°E). The radar-spacings range from 125-270km, making it unique for studies of wind variability associated with small-scale waves, comparisons of large-scale waves measured over small spacings, and for comparisons of winds from different radar systems. As such it complements results from arrays having spacings of 25km and 500km that have been located near Saskatoon. Correlation analysis is used to demonstrate a speed bias (MF smaller than the Meteor) between the radar types, which varies with season and altitude. Annual climatologies for the year 2000 of mean winds, solar tides, planetary and gravity waves are presented, and show indications of significant spatial variability across the Triangle and of differences in wave characteristics from middle latitudes. Key words: Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; waves and tides: instrument and techniques)