Articles | Volume 19, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-77-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-77-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Thermal structure of the mesopause region during the WADIS-2 rocket campaign
Raimund Wörl
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Boris Strelnikov
Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Timo P. Viehl
Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Josef Höffner
Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Pierre-Dominique Pautet
Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
Michael J. Taylor
Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
Yucheng Zhao
Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
Franz-Josef Lübken
Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany
Related authors
No articles found.
Robert Reichert, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, and Martina Bramberger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5053, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5053, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric waves rarely occur alone, making it difficult to identify and track individual signals. We developed WAVEGUISE, a method that separates complex observations into distinct wave packets while retaining weaker features. Tests on one-, two-, and three-dimensional data show that it can recover overlapping waves and describe how their properties change in space and time. This enables clearer case studies and more robust statistics of wave behavior and interactions.
Ronald Eixmann, Thorben H. Lüke-Mense, Jan Froh, Michael Gerding, Josef Höffner, Christian Löns, Robin Wing, Christian von Savigny, and Gerd Baumgarten
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 5309–5324, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-5309-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-5309-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We introduce a new lidar-based measurement technique that can observe small particles in the middle atmosphere, up to 30 km altitude, both during the day and at night. The compact instrument, with a volume of about one cubic meter, provides high-accuracy vertical profiles of aerosols and can be deployed at different locations worldwide. Comparisons with satellite data show strong agreement, highlighting its potential for longterm monitoring of stratospheric aerosols.
Ralph Latteck and Franz-Josef Lübken
Adv. Radio Sci., 24, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.5194/ars-24-1-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/ars-24-1-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Using 30 years of radar observations at Andøya, this study presents the world’s longest record of a rare summer phenomenon high above the Arctic. The season lasts about 104 days and is gradually starting earlier and ending later. Even after accounting for solar and geomagnetic effects, a small but steady rise remains. The strongest signals occur about 84 km up and show no long-term change, offering new insight into ongoing shifts in the upper atmosphere.
Gabriel Augusto Giongo, Cristiano Max Wrasse, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, José Valentin Bageston, Prosper Kwamla Nyassor, Cosme Alexandre Oliveira Barros Figueiredo, Anderson Vestena Bilibio, Delano Gobbi, and Hisao Takahashi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 6345–6360, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-6345-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-6345-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A new algorithm for medium-scale gravity wave analysis was developed for studies of gravity waves observed by airglow imaging. With this procedure, observation datasets can be analyzed to extract gravity wave parameters, such as period, horizontal wavelength, and phase speed, for climatological purposes. The procedure showed reliable performance and is ready for use at other observation sites.
Gabriel Augusto Giongo, Cristiano Max Wrasse, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, José Valentin Bageston, Prosper Kwamla Nyassor, Cosme Alexandre Oliveira Barros Figueiredo, Anderson Vestena Bilibio, Tracy Moffat-Griffin, Damian John Murphy, Toyese Tunde Ayorinde, Delano Gobbi, and Hisao Takahashi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3114, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3114, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This work analyzes the medium-scale atmospheric gravity waves observed by ground-based airglow imaging over the Antarctic continent. Medium-scale gravity waves refer to waves larger than 50 km of horizontal wavelength, and have not been analyzed in that region so far. Wave parameters and horizontal propagation characteristics were obtained by a recently improved methodology and are described thoroughly.
Joan Stude, Heinfried Aufmhoff, Hans Schlager, Markus Rapp, Carsten Baumann, Frank Arnold, and Boris Strelnikov
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 383–396, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-383-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-383-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We used a mass spectrometer on a rocket to analyze natural ions at altitudes between 60 and 120 km. Our instrument was launched in 2018 and 2021 from Norway. The heaviest particles were detected around 80 km, while medium particles could be found even above 100 km. Our measurements show that different particles are formed and not just one predominating compound. The most likely compounds that form meteor smoke particles in our measurements are made up of oxides of iron, magnesium and silicon.
Thorben H. Mense, Josef Höffner, Gerd Baumgarten, Ronald Eixmann, Jan Froh, Alsu Mauer, Alexander Munk, Robin Wing, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1665–1677, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1665-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1665-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A novel lidar system with five beams measured horizontal and vertical winds together, reaching altitudes up to 25 km. Developed in Germany, it revealed accurate horizontal wind data compared to forecasts, but vertical wind estimates differed. The lidar's capability to detect small-scale wind patterns was highlighted, advancing atmospheric research.
Eframir Franco-Diaz, Michael Gerding, Laura Holt, Irina Strelnikova, Robin Wing, Gerd Baumgarten, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1543–1558, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1543-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1543-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We use satellite, lidar, and ECMWF data to study storm-related waves that propagate above Kühlungsborn, Germany, during summer. Although these events occur in roughly half of the years of the satellite data we analyzed, we focus our study on two case study years (2014 and 2015). These events could contribute significantly to middle atmospheric circulation and are not accounted for in weather and climate models.
Ashique Vellalassery, Gerd Baumgarten, Mykhaylo Grygalashvyly, and Franz-Josef Lübken
Ann. Geophys., 41, 289–300, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-289-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-41-289-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The solar cycle affects the H2O concentration in the upper mesosphere mainly in two ways: directly through photolysis and, at the time and place of NLC formation, indirectly through temperature changes. The H2O–Lyman-α response is modified by NLC formation, resulting in a positive response at the ice formation region (due to the temperature change effect on the ice formation rate) and a negative response at the sublimation zone (due to the photolysis effect).
Cited articles
Akmaev, R. A.: Seasonal variations of the terdiurnal tide in the mesosphere and
lower thermosphere: A model study, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 3817–3820,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GL013002, 2001. a
Baker, D. J. and Stair, A. T.: Rocket measurements of the altitude
distributions of the hydroxyl airglow, Phys. Scr., 37, 611, 1988. a
Batista, P. P., Clemesha, B. R., Tokumoto, A. S., and Lima, L. M.: Structure of
the mean winds and tides in the meteor region over Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil
(22.7∘ S, 45∘ W) and its comparison with models, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr.
Phy., 66, 623–636, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2004.01.014, 2004. a
Baumgarten, K., Gerding, M., Baumgarten, G., and Lübken, F.-J.: Temporal variability of
tidal and gravity waves during a record long 10-day continuous lidar
sounding, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 371–384, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-371-2018, 2018. a
Beldon, C. L., Muller, H. G., and Mitchell, N. J.: The 8-hour tide in the
mesosphere and lower thermosphere over the UK, 1988–2004, J. Atmos.
Sol.-Terr. Phy., 68, 655–668,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2005.10.004, 2006. a
Bossert, K., Fritts, D., Pautet, P., Taylor, M. J., Williams, B., and
Pendelton, W. R.: Investigation of a mesospheric gravity wave ducting event
using coordinated sodium lidar and Mesospheric Temperature Mapper
measurements at ALOMAR, Norway (69∘ N), J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 119, 16, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD021460, 2014. a, b, c
Chapman, S. and Lindzen, R. S.: Atmospheric Tides: Thermal and Gravitational,
Gordon and Breach New York, 1970. a
Dalin, P., Kirkwood, S., Pertsev, N., and Perminov, V.: Influence of Solar and
Lunar Tides on the Mesopause Region as Observed in Polar Mesosphere Summer
Echoes Characteristics, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 122, 10369–10383,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD026509, 2017. a
Dunker, T.: The airglow layer emission altitude cannot be determined unambiguously
from temperature comparison with lidars, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 6691–6697, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-6691-2018, 2018. a
Eckermann, S. D. and Marks, C. J.: An idealized ray model of gravity
wave–tidal interactions, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 101, 21195–21212,
https://doi.org/10.1029/96JD01660, 1996. a
Forbes, J. M.: Atmospheric tides: 1. Model description and results for the
solar diurnal component, J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 87, 5222–5240,
https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA07p05222, 1982a. a, b, c, d
Forbes, J. M.: Atmospheric tide: 2. The solar and lunar semidiurnal components,
J. Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 87, 5241–5252, https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA07p05241, 1982b. a, b, c, d
Forbes, J. M.: Middle atmosphere tides, J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 46, 1049–1067, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(84)90008-4, 1984. a
Fritts, D. C. and Alexander, M. J.: Gravity wave dynamics and effects in the
middle atmosphere, Rev. Geophys., 41, 1, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001RG000106, 2003. a
Gerding, M., Höffner, J., Lautenbach, J., Rauthe, M., and Lübken, F.-J.:
Seasonal variation of nocturnal temperatures between 1 and 105 km altitude at 54∘ N
observed by lidar, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 7465–7482, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-7465-2008, 2008. a
Grygalashvyly, M., Sonnemann, G. R., Lübken, F.-J., Hartogh, P., and
Berger, U.: Hydroxyl layer: mean state and trends at mid latitudes, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 119, 12391–12419, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD022094,
2014. a
Hagan, M. E. and Forbes, J. M.: Migrating and nonmigrating diurnal tides in the
middle and upper atmosphere excited by tropospheric latent heat release, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 107, ACL 6-1–ACL 6-15, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD001236, 2002. a
Hauchecorne, A. and Maillard, A.: The mechanism of formation of inversion
layers in the mesosphere, Adv. Space Res., 12, 219–223, 1992. a
Hauchecorne, A., Chanin, M. L., and Wilson, R.: Mesospheric temperature
inversion and gravity wave breaking, Geophys. Res. Lett., 14, 933–936,
https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i009p00933, 1987. a
Höffner, J. and Fricke-Begemann, C.: Accurate lidar temperatures with
narrowband filters, Opt. Lett., 30, 890–892, https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.30.000890, 2005. a
Höffner, J. and Lautenbach, J.: Daylight measurements of mesopause
temperature and vertical wind with the mobile scanning iron Lidar, Opt.
Lett., 34, 1351–1353, 2009. a
Jacobi, Ch. and Fytterer, T.: The 8-h tide in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere
over Collm (51.3∘ N; 13.0∘ E), 2004–2011, Adv. Radio Sci., 10, 265–270, https://doi.org/10.5194/ars-10-265-2012, 2012. a
Lautenbach, J. and Höffner, J.: Scanning iron temperature lidar for
mesopause temperature observation, Appl. Optics, 43, 4559–4563,
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.43.004559, 2004. a, b
Lilienthal, F., Jacobi, C., and Geißler, C.: Forcing mechanisms of the
terdiurnal tide, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 15725–15742, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15725-2018,
2018. a
Liu, G. and Shepherd, G. G.: An empirical model for the altitude of the OH
nightglow emission, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, 9, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025297, 2006. a
Melo, S. M. L., Lowe, R. P., and Russell, J. P.: Double-peaked hydroxyl airglow
profiles observed from WINDII/UARS, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 105,
12397–12403, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JD901169, 2000. a
Meriwether, J. and Gerrard, A. J.: Mesosphere inversion layers and stratosphere
temperature enhancements, Rev. Geophys., 42, 3, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003RG000133, 2004. a
Meriwether, J. W. and Gardner, C. S.: A review of the mesosphere inversion
layer phenomenon, J. Geophys. Res., 105, 12405–12416,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JD900163, 2000. a
Murphy, D. J., Forbes, J. M., Walterscheid, R. L., Hagan, M. E., Avery, S. K.,
Aso, T., Fraser, G. J., Fritts, D. C., Jarvis, M. J., McDonald, A. J.,
Riggin, D. M., Tsutsumi, M., and Vincent, R. A.: A climatology of tides in
the Antarctic mesosphere and lower thermosphere, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos.,
111, D23, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JD006803, 2006. a
Perminov, V., Lowe, R., and Pertsev, N.: Longitudinal variations in the
hydroxyl nightglow, Adv. Space Res., 24, 1609–1612,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(99)00887-X, 1999. a
Rapp, M., Gumbel, J., and Lübken, F.-J.: Absolute density measurements in the
middle atmosphere, Ann. Geophys., 19, 571–580, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-19-571-2001, 2001. a
Senf, F. and Achatz, U.: On the impact of middle-atmosphere thermal tides on
the propagation and dissipation of gravity waves, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos.,
116, D24, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD015794, 2011. a
Smith, A. K.: Global Dynamics of the MLT, Surv. Geophys., 33, 1177–1230,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-012-9196-9, 2012. a
Smith, A. K., Pancheva, D., and Mitchell, N.: Observations and modeling of the
6-hour tide in the upper mesosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 109, D10,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD004421, 2004. a, b, c
States, R. J. and Gardner, C. S.: Thermal structure of the mesopause region
(80–105 km) at 40∘ N latitude. Part I: Seasonal
variations, J. Atmos. Sci., 57, 66–77,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2000)057<0066:TSOTMR>2.0.CO;2, 2000. a
Strelnikov, B., Rapp, M., and Lübken, F.-J.: In-situ density measurements in
the mesosphere/lower thermosphere region with the TOTAL and CONE
instruments, in: An Introduction to Space Instrumentation, edited by: Oyama,
K., Terra Publishers, Tokyo, https://doi.org/10.5047/aisi.001, 2013. a, b, c, d
Strelnikov, B., Szewczyk, A., Strelnikova, I., Latteck, R., Baumgarten, G., Lübken, F.-J.,
Rapp, M., Fasoulas, S., Löhle, S., Eberhart, M., Hoppe, U.-P., Dunker, T.,
Friedrich, M., Hedin, J., Khaplanov, M., Gumbel, J., and Barjatya, A.: Spatial and
temporal variability in MLT turbulence inferred from in situ and
ground-based observations during the WADIS-1 sounding rocket campaign, Ann. Geophys., 35, 547–565, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-547-2017, 2017. a, b
Taylor, M. J., Pendleton, W. R., Gardner, C. S., and States, R. J.: Comparison
of terdiurnal tidal oscillations in mesospheric OH rotational temperature and
Na lidar temperature measurements at mid-latitudes for fall/spring
conditions, Earth Planet. Space, 51, 877–885, https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03353246, 1999. a, b
Thayaparan, T.: The terdiurnal tide in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere
over London, Canada (43∘ N, 81∘ W), J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 102,
21695–21708, https://doi.org/10.1029/97JD01839, 1997.
a, b
Viehl, T. P., Plane, J. M. C., Feng, W., and Höffner, J.: The photolysis of
FeOH and its effect on the bottomside of the mesospheric Fe layer, Geophys.
Res. Lett., 43, 1373–1381, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL067241, 2016. a, b
von Zahn, U., Fricke, K. H., Gerndt, R., and Blix, T.: Mesospheric temperatures
and the OH layer height as derived from ground-based lidar and OH*
spectrometry, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 49, 863–869,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(87)90025-0, 1987. a
Wu, Q., Mitchell, N. J., Killeen, T. L., Solomon, S. C., and Younger, P. T.: A
high-latitude 8-hour wave in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, J.
Geophys. Res.-Space Phys., 110, A9, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JA011024, 2005. a, b, c
Younger, P. T., Pancheva, D., Middleton, H. R., and Mitchell, N. J.: The
8-hour tide in the Arctic mesosphere and lower thermosphere, J. Geophys.
Res., 107, 1420, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA005086, 2002. a, b, c
Zhao, Y., Taylor, M. J., and Chu, X.: Comparison of simultaneous Na lidar and
mesospheric nightglow temperature measurements and the effects of tides on
the emission layer heights, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 110, d09S07,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005115, 2005. a, b
Short summary
Simultaneous temperature measurements during the WADIS-2 rocket campaign are used to investigate the thermal structure of the mesopause region. Vertically and horizontally resolved in situ and remote measurements are in good agreement and show dominating long-term and large-scale waves with periods of 24 h and higher tidal harmonics. Only a few gravity waves with periods shorter than 6 h and small amplitudes are there.
Simultaneous temperature measurements during the WADIS-2 rocket campaign are used to investigate...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint