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Full-Text Articles in Atmospheric Sciences
Acoustic Waves Generated By Gusty Flow Over Hilly Terrain, R. L. Walterscheid, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D.
Acoustic Waves Generated By Gusty Flow Over Hilly Terrain, R. L. Walterscheid, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D.
Michael P. Hickey
We examine the generation of acoustic waves by gusty flow over hilly terrain. We use simple theoretical models of the interaction between terrain and eddies and a linear model of acoustic-gravity wave propagation. The calculations presented here suggest that over a dense array of geographically extensive sources orographically generated vertically propagating acoustic waves can be a significant cause of thermospheric heating. This heating may account in good part for the thermospheric hot spot near the Andes reported by Meriwether et al. (1996, 1997).
Wave Heating And Jeans Escape In The Martian Upper Atmosphere, R. L. Walterscheid, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., G. Schubert
Wave Heating And Jeans Escape In The Martian Upper Atmosphere, R. L. Walterscheid, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., G. Schubert
Michael P. Hickey
Gusty flow over rough terrain is likely to be a significant source of fast gravity waves and acoustic waves in the atmosphere of Mars, as it is in Earth’s atmosphere. Accordingly, we have used a numerical model to study the dissipation in the thermosphere and exosphere of Mars of upward-propagating fast gravity waves and acoustic waves. Model simulations are performed for a range of wave periods and horizontal wavelengths. Wave amplitudes are constrained by the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey aerobraking data, and gravity wave phase velocities are limited by occultation data. Dissipating gravity waves heat some regions of …
Acoustic Wave Heating Of The Thermosphere, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., G. Schubert, R. L. Walterscheid
Acoustic Wave Heating Of The Thermosphere, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., G. Schubert, R. L. Walterscheid
Michael P. Hickey
A numerical model is used to study the dissipation in the thermosphere of upward propagating acoustic waves. Whereas dissipating gravity waves can cool the upper atmosphere through the effects of sensible heat flux divergence, it is found that acoustic waves mainly heat the thermosphere by viscous dissipation. Though the amplitudes of acoustic waves in the atmosphere are poorly constrained, the calculations suggest that dissipating acoustic waves can locally heat the thermosphere at rates of tens of kelvins per day and thereby contribute to the thermospheric energy balance. It is shown that viscous heating cannot be calculated from the divergence of …
Physical Processes In Acoustic Wave Heating Of The Thermosphere, G. Schubert, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid
Physical Processes In Acoustic Wave Heating Of The Thermosphere, G. Schubert, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid
Michael P. Hickey
Upward propagating acoustic waves heat the atmosphere at essentially all heights due to effects of viscous dissipation, sensible heat flux divergence, and Eulerian drift work. Acoustic wave-induced pressure gradient work provides a cooling effect at all heights, but this is overwhelmed by the heating processes. Eulerian drift work and wave-induced pressure gradient work dominate the energy balance, but they nearly cancel at most altitudes, leaving their difference, together with viscous dissipation and sensible heat flux divergence to heat the atmosphere. Acoustic waves are very different from gravity waves which cool the upper atmosphere through the effect of sensible heat flux …
Gravity Wave Heating And Cooling Of The Thermosphere: Sensible Heat Flux And Viscous Flux Of Kinetic Energy, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid, G. Schubert
Gravity Wave Heating And Cooling Of The Thermosphere: Sensible Heat Flux And Viscous Flux Of Kinetic Energy, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid, G. Schubert
Michael P. Hickey
Total wave heating is the sum of the convergence of the sensible heat flux and the divergence of the viscous flux of wave kinetic energy. Numerical simulations, using a full-wave model of the viscous damping of atmospheric gravity waves propagating in a nonisothermal atmosphere, are carried out to explore the relative contributions of these sources of wave heating as a function of wave properties and altitude. It is shown that the sensible heat flux always dominates in the lower thermosphere, giving a lower region of heating and an upper stronger region of cooling. The heating due to the divergence of …