An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project

The meteor radar can detect the zenith angle, azimuth, radial velocity, and altitude of meteor trails so that one can invert the wind profiles in the mesosphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region, based on the Interferometric and Doppler techniques. In this paper, the horizontal wind field, gravity w...

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Main Authors: Tai Liu, Zhe Wang, MengXi Shi, Willie Soon, ShiCan Qiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Science Press 2025-01-01
Series:Earth and Planetary Physics
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Online Access:http://www.eppcgs.org/article/doi/10.26464/epp2024044?pageType=en
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author Tai Liu
Zhe Wang
MengXi Shi
Willie Soon
ShiCan Qiu
author_facet Tai Liu
Zhe Wang
MengXi Shi
Willie Soon
ShiCan Qiu
author_sort Tai Liu
collection DOAJ
description The meteor radar can detect the zenith angle, azimuth, radial velocity, and altitude of meteor trails so that one can invert the wind profiles in the mesosphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region, based on the Interferometric and Doppler techniques. In this paper, the horizontal wind field, gravity wave (GW) disturbance variance, and GW fluxes are analyzed through the meteor radar observation from 2012−2022, at Mohe (53.5°N, 122.4°E) and Zuoling (30.5°N, 114.6°E) stations of the (Chinese) Meridian Project. The Lomb−Scargle periodogram method has been utilized to analyze the periodic variations for time series with observational data gaps. The results show that the zonal winds at both stations are eastward dominated, while the meridional winds are southward dominated. The variance of GW disturbances in the zonal and meridional directions increases gradually with height, and there is a strong pattern of annual variation. The zonal momentum flux of GW changes little with height, showing weak annual variation. The meridional GW flux varies gradually from northward to southward with height, and the annual periodicity is stronger. For both stations, the maximum values of zonal and meridional wind occur close to the peak heights of GW flux, with opposite directions. This observational evidence is consistent with the filtering theory. The horizontal wind velocity, GW flux, and disturbance variance of the GW at Mohe are overall smaller than those at Zuoling, indicating weaker activities in the MLT at Mohe. The power spectral density (PSD) calculated by the Lomb−Scargle periodogram shows that there are 12-month period and 6-month period in horizontal wind field, GW disturbance variance and GW flux at both stations, and especially there is also a 4-month cycle in the disturbance variance. The PSD of the 12-month and 6-month cycles exhibits maximum values below 88 km and above 94 km.
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spelling doaj-art-b6ff3e0588cb47838d6422472f5998612025-01-06T07:40:39ZengScience PressEarth and Planetary Physics2096-39552025-01-0191293810.26464/epp2024044S20485-liutai-qiushicai-FAn investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian ProjectTai Liu0Zhe Wang1MengXi Shi2Willie Soon3ShiCan Qiu4Department of Geophysics, College of the Geology Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, ChinaDepartment of Geophysics, College of the Geology Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, ChinaDepartment of Geophysics, College of the Geology Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, ChinaCenter for Environmental Research and Earth Sciences (CERES), Salem, MA 01970, USADepartment of Geophysics, College of the Geology Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, ChinaThe meteor radar can detect the zenith angle, azimuth, radial velocity, and altitude of meteor trails so that one can invert the wind profiles in the mesosphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region, based on the Interferometric and Doppler techniques. In this paper, the horizontal wind field, gravity wave (GW) disturbance variance, and GW fluxes are analyzed through the meteor radar observation from 2012−2022, at Mohe (53.5°N, 122.4°E) and Zuoling (30.5°N, 114.6°E) stations of the (Chinese) Meridian Project. The Lomb−Scargle periodogram method has been utilized to analyze the periodic variations for time series with observational data gaps. The results show that the zonal winds at both stations are eastward dominated, while the meridional winds are southward dominated. The variance of GW disturbances in the zonal and meridional directions increases gradually with height, and there is a strong pattern of annual variation. The zonal momentum flux of GW changes little with height, showing weak annual variation. The meridional GW flux varies gradually from northward to southward with height, and the annual periodicity is stronger. For both stations, the maximum values of zonal and meridional wind occur close to the peak heights of GW flux, with opposite directions. This observational evidence is consistent with the filtering theory. The horizontal wind velocity, GW flux, and disturbance variance of the GW at Mohe are overall smaller than those at Zuoling, indicating weaker activities in the MLT at Mohe. The power spectral density (PSD) calculated by the Lomb−Scargle periodogram shows that there are 12-month period and 6-month period in horizontal wind field, GW disturbance variance and GW flux at both stations, and especially there is also a 4-month cycle in the disturbance variance. The PSD of the 12-month and 6-month cycles exhibits maximum values below 88 km and above 94 km.http://www.eppcgs.org/article/doi/10.26464/epp2024044?pageType=enmeteor radarwind fieldgravity wavelomb−scargle method
spellingShingle Tai Liu
Zhe Wang
MengXi Shi
Willie Soon
ShiCan Qiu
An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project
Earth and Planetary Physics
meteor radar
wind field
gravity wave
lomb−scargle method
title An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project
title_full An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project
title_fullStr An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project
title_full_unstemmed An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project
title_short An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project
title_sort investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in mlt region based on the meteor radars from the meridian project
topic meteor radar
wind field
gravity wave
lomb−scargle method
url http://www.eppcgs.org/article/doi/10.26464/epp2024044?pageType=en
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