Investigating Kinetic Energy Spectra in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere Region by Multistatic Meteor Radar Observations

Abstract:

The study of the distribution of kinetic energy in the mesosphere and the lower thermosphere [MLT] is a challenging task. State of the art specular meteor radar networks presented here bring a viable option to study the second-order statistics using the three-dimensional wind correlation functions obtained from the one-dimensional specular meteor observations. The two methods we propose to obtain the kinetic energy spectra in frequency range are (1) WCFI, which utilizes two-point correlations of specular meteor observations (Vierinen et al. 2019), and (2) MWE: mean wind estimation, which determines the MLT winds and gradients from specular meteor observations. Both the methods will be validated here by implementing Monte Carlo simulations of a gravity wave spectral model. We will present as well the frequency spectral studies of MLT winds during a seven-day multi-network meteor radar campaign called SIMONe [Spread-spectrum Interferometric Multistatic meteor radar Observing Network] 2018 and preliminary results of second-order statistics using two years of a multistatic meteor radar system called MMARIA [Multi-static, multi-frequency Agile Radar Investigations of the Atmosphere] located in Germany. Results from the SIMONe 2018 will address the validity of the methods, and two years of MMARIA-Germany will be used to explore the seasonal variations of kinetic energy spectra in the MLT.