On the distortions in calculated GW parameters during slanted atmospheric soundings

The significant distortions introduced in the measured atmospheric gravity wavelengths by soundings other than those in vertical and horizontal directions, are discussed as a function of the elevation angle of the sounding path and the gravity wave aspect ratio. Under- or overestimation of real vert...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: de la Torre, Alejandro; Alexander, Peter; Schmidt, Torsten; Llamedo, Pablo; Hierro, Rodrigo
Format: Article
Status:Published version
Publication date:2018
Country:Argentina
Institution:CICBA
Repository:CIC Digital (CICBA)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.cic.gba.gob.ar:11746/12015
Online Access:https://digital.cic.gba.gob.ar/handle/11746/12015
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Meteorología y Ciencias Atmosféricas
Gravity Waves
Distortions
Description
Summary:The significant distortions introduced in the measured atmospheric gravity wavelengths by soundings other than those in vertical and horizontal directions, are discussed as a function of the elevation angle of the sounding path and the gravity wave aspect ratio. Under- or overestimation of real vertical wavelengths during the measurement process depends on the value of these two parameters. The consequences of these distortions on the calculation of the energy and the vertical flux of horizontal momentum are analyzed and discussed in the context of two experimental limb satellite setups: GPSLEO radio occultations and TIMED/SABER ((Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry/Thermosphere– Ionosphere–Mesosphere–Energetics and Dynamics)) measurements. Possible discrepancies previously found between the momentum flux calculated from satellite temperature profiles, on site and from model simulations, may to a certain degree be attributed to these distortions. A recalculation of previous momentum flux climatologies based on these considerations seems to be a difficult goal.