An Investigation of the Variability of Tides in the Upper Mesosphere (Meteor Radar)

A computer simulation of the Urbana, Illinois, meteor radar is performed to estimate the accuracy of the data analysis procedures in determining upper mesospheric tides. Various wind models such as planetary waves, gravity waves, and turbulence are tested and it is found that for reasonable values of atmospheric variance the two-dimensional standard deviation of the tidal estimator is at most 8 ms('-1). The observed variability of the tides at Urbana during March 1980 exceeds the variability of a modelled steady-state tide, and the nature of the observed variability suggests a non-linear interaction of the tide with gravity and/or planetary waves. The semidiurnal tide also exhibits phase fluctuations indicating the possible presence of a transient S(,2,3) mode.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Tetenbaum, David

• Physics, Atmospheric Science

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8711890

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/69356