Winds and Circulations in the Mesosphere

Item

Title
Winds and Circulations in the Mesosphere
Date
1961
Index Abstract
Coming Soon
Photo Quality
Not Needed
Report Number
AFCRL 244
Creator
Keegan, Thomas J.
Corporate Author
Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories
Extent
19
Identifier
AD0255660
Distribution Classification
1
DTIC Record Exists
No
Distribution Change Authority Correspondence
None
Abstract
Some preliminary analysis are presented of the winds and circulations in the mesosphere based upon the first year of data collected by the Meteorological Rocket Network. Differences between winds determined from radar targets released by rockets and those from the conventional balloon technique are discussed briefly. T er atmosphere, Meteorological data, *Sounding rockets, Diurnal variations, North America, *Wind. Open-ended Terms: Mesosphere. Some preliminary analysis are presented of the winds and circulations in the mesosphere based upon the first year of data collected by the Meteorological Rocket Network. Differences between winds determined from radar targets released by rockets and those from the conventional balloon technique are discussed briefly. The scale of seasonal, daily, and vertical wind variations is illustrated by wind profiles and time cross-sections. They demonstrate clearly the seasonal reversal of mesospheric winds and the existence of large, wind-speed variations over periods of only several days. They also reveal that vertical wind shears of 0.030 per sec, and probably greater, exist at about 180,000 ft. A relationship is indicated between mesospheric circulation changes and subsequent tropospheric circulation changes. Examples are shown of the circulation over North America in spring and summer at heights up to 180,000 ft. Analysis of rocket wind-data indicates that the techniques are sound and that much can be learned by more intensive analysis.
Report Availability
Full text available by request
Date Issued
1961-02
Provenance
IIT
Type
report
Format
19 pages ; 28 cm.