Determination of Energy of Atmospheric Gravity Waves from One-Point Satellite Measurements

Abstract

The method for determination of spatial energy density distribution in atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) employing direct satellite-based measurements is proposed. The method allows determining the potential AGW energy using the two types of satellite data: mass-spectrometer measurements of concentrations of atmospheric gases and synchronously obtained data of total density and temperature. The distribution of potential energy components (acoustic and thermobaric) for AGWs observed from Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite has been analyzed. At F2- region altitudes, the following AGW types were identified: polar – with the nearly equal both types of potential energy; middle latitude and low latitude (with total prevailing of thermobaric energy and with near equal potential energies). The maximum AGW energy density is observed in the polar regions.