First observations of polar mesosphere summer echoes in Antarctica

Woodman, R. F.; Balsley, B. B.; Aquino, Fredy; Flores, Luis; Vazquez, Edilberto; Sarango, M.; Huaman, Mercedes M.; Soldi, Hector

doi:10.1029/1999ja900226

Cited by 44 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The distribution among different volume reflectivities, the height variation and the diurnal variation of mean reflectivities and occurrence rates are very similar to the same at the two sites. This contradicts earlier suggestions of large-scale asymmetry between the Arctic and the Antarctic, [Woodman et al, 1999] and confirms and further quantifies the observation by Morris et al [2004Morris et al [ , 2006 that Antarctic PMSE (at 68°S) are similar to Arctic PMSE. Only small differences in mean intensities are found between the sites, with NH PMSE 2 -3 times stronger below 87 km.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 40%

“…The first attempts to observe PMSE in the SH (at 62°S, geomagnetic latitude 47°S) were unsuccessful [Balsley et al, 1993] and subsequent measurements at the same site found only weak PMSE [Woodman et al, 1999]. This was interpreted as evidence for a substantial difference (7.5 K) in summer mesopause temperatures between the Arctic and the Antarctic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Polar mesosphere summer echoes at Wasa, Antarctica (73°S): First observations and comparison with 68°N

Kirkwood

Wolf

Nilsson

et al. 2007

Geophysical Research Letters

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 40%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polar mesosphere summer echoes at Wasa, Antarctica (73°S): First observations and comparison with 68°N

Kirkwood

Wolf

Nilsson

et al. 2007

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…The reports regarding latitude dependence are somewhat contradictory: Lübken et al (2004b) found PMSE to be more prevalent at higher latitudes in the European sector, whereas Huaman et al (2001) found PMSE to be less prevalent at higher latitude. Initial measurements of PMSE in the Southern Hemisphere failed to detect any PMSE at 62 • S latitude (Balsley et al, 1993), and later measurements from the same site showed only weak PMSE (Woodman et al, 1999). This could be interpreted as a large temperature difference of 7.5 K between the two hemispheres.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous observations of Polar Mesosphere Summer Echoes at two different latitudes in Antarctica

et al. 2008

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Abstract. Simultaneous observations of Polar MesosphereSummer Echoes (PMSE) at Wasa and Davis in Antarctica have been compared. Data with simultaneous observations were obtained for 16 days between 18 January and 5 February 2007. Wasa is at a higher geographic latitude than Davis, but at lower geomagnetic latitude. PMSE strength and occurrence frequency were significantly higher at Wasa. The variation of daily PMSE occurrence over the measurement period was in agreement with temperature and frost-point estimates from the Microwave Limb Sounder on the Aura spacecraft for both Wasa and Davis. The diurnal variation of PMSE strength and occurrence frequency as well as the shape of the altitude profiles of average PMSE strength and occurrence frequency were similar for the two sites. The deepest part of the evening minimum in PMSE occurrence frequency occurred for the same magnetic local time at the two sites rather than for the same local solar time. The study indicates that PMSE strength and occurrence increase between 68.6 • and 73 • geographic latitude, consistent with observed differences in mesospheric temperatures and water vapor content. The average altitude distribution of PMSE varies relatively little with latitude in the same hemisphere.

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“…This observation reinforced previous conclusions that there are large differences between the strength of PMSE observed in the two hemispheres. Woodman et al (1999) attributed this asymmetry to differences in mesopause temperature between the two sites. Huaman and Balsley (1999) suggested that differences in water vapour and dynamics might be the cause of the observed lag in PMSE occurrence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First experiments for PMSE observations in the Southern Hemisphere were carried out by Balsley et al (1993) analysis of these observations led to the conclusion that there are no PMSE at this latitude (Balsley et al, 1993) or, if they exist at all, these echoes had to be at least 34 to 44 dB weaker than their NH counterparts (Balsley et al, 1995). One year later the first SH PMSE were observed with the improved radar at Machu Picchu (Woodman et al, 1999). This observation reinforced previous conclusions that there are large differences between the strength of PMSE observed in the two hemispheres.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Similarities and differences in polar mesosphere summer echoes observed in the Arctic and Antarctica

et al. 2008

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Abstract. Polar Mesosphere Summer Echoes (PMSE) have been observed in the high latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere for several years using VHF radars located at Andenes/Norway (69 • N, 16 • E), Resolute Bay/Canada (75 • N, 95 • W), and Davis/Antarctica (69 • S, 78 • E). The VHF radars at the three sites were calibrated using the same methods (noise source and delayed transmitting signal) and identical equipment. Volume reflectivity was derived from the calibrated echo power and the characteristics of the seasonal variation of PMSE were estimated at the sites for the years 2004 to 2007. The largest peak volume reflectivity of about 2×10 −9 m −1 was observed at Andenes compared with their counterparts at Davis (∼4×10 −11 m −1 ) and Resolute Bay (∼6×10 −12 m −1 ). The peak of the PMSE height distribution is 85.6 km at Davis which is about 1 km higher than at Andenes. At Resolute Bay the height distribution peaks at about 85 km but only a few layers were found below 84 km. The mean PMSE occurrence rate is 83% at Andenes, 38% at Davis with larger variability and only 18% at Resolute Bay (in late summer). The duration of the PMSE season varies at Andenes from 104 to 113 days and at Davis from 88 to 93 days. In general the PMSE seasons starts about 5 days later at Davis and ends about 10 days earlier compared to Andenes. In all three seasons the PMSE occurrence suddenly drops to a much lower level at Davis about 32 days after solstice whereas the PMSE season decays smoothly at Andenes. The duration of the PMSE season at Andenes and Davis is highly correlated with the presence of equatorward directed winds, the observed differences in PMSE occurrence are related to the mesospheric temperatures at both sites.

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First observations of polar mesosphere summer echoes in Antarctica

Cited by 44 publications

References 43 publications

Polar mesosphere summer echoes at Wasa, Antarctica (73°S): First observations and comparison with 68°N

Polar mesosphere summer echoes at Wasa, Antarctica (73°S): First observations and comparison with 68°N

Simultaneous observations of Polar Mesosphere Summer Echoes at two different latitudes in Antarctica

Similarities and differences in polar mesosphere summer echoes observed in the Arctic and Antarctica

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