Accession Number:

AD0735386

Title:

Application of Phase Sounder Gravity Wave Observations to the Problem of Atmospheric Structure

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Dec 1970-30 Nov 1971

Corporate Author:

FLORIDA STATE UNIV TALLAHASSEE

Personal Author(s):

• Tolstoy, Ivan

Report Date:

1971-11-30

Pagination or Media Count:

41.0

Abstract:

The practical consequences of the commonly occurring thermospheric condition of turning points for propagating acoustic and internal gravity wave modes have been investigated. This has required some rather novel theoretical developments on the W.K.B. approximation, turning points, and the measurement of phase velocities. In the process of carrying out this investigation some sample calculations were made illustrating the relationships between phase velocity measurements and the existing values of the Vaisala frequency and acoustic cut- offs. A study was also made of the reflection of internal gravity waves of long period at heights for which the wavelength becomes of the order of the mean free path of the molecules. The net effect is one of damping on the long-range propagation of trapped internal waves.

Descriptors:

• *MICROBAROMETRIC WAVES
• ATMOSPHERE MODELS
• DAMPING
• EQUATIONS OF MOTION
• IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES
• REFLECTION
• VELOCITY
• WAVE FUNCTIONS

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE