Determining the parameters of wave disturbances of the middle atmosphere from lidar measurements

Abstract

Altitude profiles of temperature of the middle atmosphere (30–60 km) are determined from data of lidar sensing at wavelengths of 355 and 532 nm using a modified Rayleigh method. Temperature disturbances are discriminated against the background of average profiles, using a smoothing spline. The altitude profiles of the potential energy density of gravity waves are calculated directly according to temperature fluctuations. A continuous wavelet analysis is used to determine the spectral characteristics of wave disturbances, including local power spectra of temperature fluctuations and potential energy, as well as vertical phase velocity and period for extracted wavelengths. The developed software tools make it possible to determine the characteristics of the wave disturbances localized in time and identified with respect to wavelengths of wave disturbances (wave packets). Lidar measurements in Obninsk are described.