Investigation of acoustic gravity waves in the upper atmosphere by the artificial periodic inhomogeneities method at Nizhny Novgorod

We present the results of observation of acoustic gravity waves in the height range 60–120 km. AGW were studied by means of plasma velocity measurements. The observations, based upon use of a newly-developed diagnostic technique, were carried out during September 1990–May 1991. The method uses the artificial periodic inhomogeneities (API) which occur in the ionosphere illuminated by high- power HF radio waves. This method, based upon measurements of phases of waves back scattered from API, has a time resolution sufficient to observe short-term variations in the atmosphere. Seasonal variations of daily averaged vertical velocities were obtained. Above the turbopause height upward vertical motions dominated. Wave-like oscillations in the vertical velocity, which are most probably caused by AGW, occurred.Published from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 329–334, March, 1996.     

Observations of Acoustic Gravity Waves during the Solar Eclipse of March 20, 2015 in Kaliningrad

Results of observations of atmospheric and ionospheric parameters during the solar eclipse of March 20, 2015 have been described. The observations have been conducted by lidar sensing in the lower atmosphere and analysis of the total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere in Kaliningrad. Observations at the troposphere altitudes have been conducted using an atmospheric lidar. Ionospheric parameter TEC has been determined according to observations of navigation satellite signals. The spectral analysis of the monitored parameters during the solar eclipse has shown that, in the lower atmosphere and the ionosphere in a period range of 2–20 min, internal gravity waves (IGWs) and infrasonic waves are excited. During the main phase of the eclipse, the major contribution to variations in the parameters of the medium comes from infrasonic vibrations. Changes in the variations in the atmospheric and ionospheric parameters with IGW periods are observed only in the initial and final phases of the eclipse.     

Disturbances of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere caused by acoustic-gravity wave sources in the lower atmosphere

The results of observations of acoustic-gravity waves in the troposphere and the ionosphere at middle latitudes during periods of passage of the solar terminator are presented. Tropospheric observations were performed using a lidar. The frequency characteristics of variations of the tropospheric parameters are determined based on observations of the intensity of the scattered lidar signal. The characteristics of variations of the total electron content (TEC) in the atmosphere are determined from data collected by GPS navigation satellites. An analysis of the observational data showed that the spectrum of variations of the atmospheric and ionospheric parameters is indicative of acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) propagating from the lower atmosphere. Modeling studies of the vertical propagation of AGW from the Earth’s surface showed that such waves quickly (within ~15 min) reach altitudes of the upper atmosphere (~300 km). The refraction and dissipation of waves in the upper atmosphere produces perturbations of the background state of the atmosphere and gives rise to the waveguide propagation of infrasonic wave components. The observed manifestations of TEC disturbances caused by AGW propagating from the lower atmosphere can be explained by the diurnal variation of the altitude of the ionosphere and the waveguide propagation of infrasonic waves.     

Atmospheric Turbulence and Internal Gravity Waves Examined by the Method of Artificial Periodic Irregularities

A method for studying the Earth’s ionosphere at altitudes of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere based on creating artificial periodic irregularities in the ionospheric plasma by means of powerful radio waves is breafly described. Methods for determining the temperature and density of the neutral component and the velocity of vertical and turbulent motions by measuring the characteristics of the signal backscattered by the irregularities are described. The results of experiments performed on a SURA heating facility aimed at a comprehensive investigation of the natural processes occurring in the Earth’s lower ionosphere due to the propagation of atmospheric waves and turbulent phenomena are examined. Based on measurements of the amplitude and phase of the signal scattered by periodic irregularities, the most important characteristics of the neutral and plasma components of the Earth’s atmosphere at altitudes of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere are determined. Further research on the subject is discussed.     

Characteristics of atmospheric gravity waves observed using the MU (Middle and Upper atmosphere) radar and GPS (Global Positioning System) radio occultation

The wind velocity and temperature profiles observed in the middle atmosphere (altitude: 10–100 km) show perturbations resulting from superposition of various atmospheric waves, including atmospheric gravity waves. Atmospheric gravity waves are known to play an important role in determining the general circulation in the middle atmosphere by dynamical stresses caused by gravity wave breaking. In this paper, we summarize the characteristics of atmospheric gravity waves observed using the middle and upper atmosphere (MU) radar in Japan, as well as novel satellite data obtained from global positioning system radio occultation (GPS RO) measurements. In particular, we focus on the behavior of gravity waves in the mesosphere (50–90 km), where considerable gravity wave attenuation occurs. We also report on the global distribution of gravity wave activity in the stratosphere (10–50 km), highlighting various excitation mechanisms such as orographic effects, convection in the tropics, meteorological disturbances, the subtropical jet and the polar night jet.     

Nonlinear synthesis of infrasound propagation through an inhomogeneous, absorbing atmosphere

An accurate and efficient method to predict infrasound amplitudes from large explosions in the atmosphere is required for diverse source types, including bolides, volcanic eruptions, and nuclear and chemical explosions. A finite-difference, time-domain approach is developed to solve a set of nonlinear fluid dynamic equations for total pressure, temperature, and density fields rather than acoustic perturbations. Three key features for the purpose of synthesizing nonlinear infrasound propagation in realistic media are that it includes gravitational terms, it allows for acoustic absorption, including molecular vibration losses at frequencies well below the molecular vibration frequencies, and the environmental models are constrained to have axial symmetry, allowing a three-dimensional simulation to be reduced to two dimensions. Numerical experiments are performed to assess the algorithm's accuracy and the effect of source amplitudes and atmospheric variability on infrasound waveforms and shock formation. Results show that infrasound waveforms steepen and their associated spectra are shifted to higher frequencies for nonlinear sources, leading to enhanced infrasound attenuation. Results also indicate that nonlinear infrasound amplitudes depend strongly on atmospheric temperature and pressure variations. The solution for total field variables and insertion of gravitational terms also allows for the computation of other disturbances generated by explosions, including gravity waves.     

Artificial periodic irregularities,wave phenomena in the lower ionosphere,and the sporadic <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis> layer

We present new results of studying the artificial periodic irregularities produced in the ionosphere by the radio emission of the high-power heating facility “Sura” during the period of observations of the sporadic E layer. Basing on the measurement results for the velocity of the vertical plasma motion and the electron profile density in the E region of the ionosphere, which were obtained by the method of resonance scattering of radiowaves by an artificially produced periodic structure, we analyze the possibility to produce a sporadic E layer by driving metal ions affected by the vertical shear of the velocity, which occurs at these altitudes due to the propagation of internal gravity waves. The parameters of these waves are evaluated, as well as the mass and concentration of metal ions in the sporadic E layer.     

Transformation of acoustic waves in upper atmosphere

The transformation of acoustic waves into electromagnetic oscillations in the plasma of the upper atmosphere is analyzed. It is demonstrated that acoustic oscillations in ionosphere in the presence of the gradients of gas temperature and electron concentration lead to plasma vortices that provide the generation of electromagnetic waves.     

The influence of atmospheric gravity waves evolving in horizontal shear flow on the ionosphere F2-layer

The ionosphere F2-layer height profile of the electron density is obtained by using the presence of atmospheric gravity waves (GW) evolving in horizontal shear flow. The possible responsibility of the GW evolving in the horizontal shear flow for the formation of large scale travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID) with small periods is shown.     

Variations in the radio-wave absorption in the ionosphere due to internal gravity waves

We estimate the influence of internal gravity waves on the radio-wave absorption in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is shown that the internal gravity waves can lead to significant spatio-temporal variations in the absorption. We conclude that riometric measurements can be used for the diagnostics of internal gravity waves in the Earth’s atmosphere. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 194–198, March 2006.     

On the electric activity of superfluid helium at the excitation of first and second sound waves

We show that the electric activity of superfluid helium (HeII) observed in the experiments [3] during the excitation of standing second sound waves in an acoustic resonator can be described in terms of the phenomenological mechanism of the inertial polarization of atoms in a dielectric, in particular, in HeII, when the polarization field induced in the medium is proportional to the mechanical acceleration, by analogy with the Stewart-Tolman effect. The variable relative velocity w = v _n − v _s of the normal and superfluid HeII components that emerges in the second sound wave determines the mean group velocity of rotons, V _g ≈ w, with the density of the normal component related to their equilibrium number density in the temperature range 1.3 K ≤ T ≤ 2 K. Therefore, the acceleration of the 4He atoms involved in the formation of a roton excitation is proportional to the time derivative of the relative velocity.w. In this case, the linear local relations between the variable values of the electric induction, electric field strength, and polarization vector should be taken into account. As a result, the variable displacement current induced in the bulk of HeII and the corresponding potential difference do not depend on the anomalously low polarizability of liquid helium. This allows the ratio of the amplitudes of the temperature and potential oscillations in the second sound wave, which is almost independent of T in the above temperature range, consistent with experimental data to be obtained. At the same time, the absence of an electric response during the excitation of first sound waves in the linear regime is related to an insufficient power of the sound oscillations. Based on the experimental data on the excitation of first and second sounds, we have obtained estimates for the phenomenological coefficient of proportionality between the polarization vector and acceleration and for the drag coefficient of helium atoms by rotons in the second sound wave. We also show that the presence of a steady heat flow in HeII with nonzero longitudinal velocity and temperature gradients due to finite viscosity and thermal conductivity of the normal component leads to a change in the phase velocities of the first and second sound waves and to an exponential growth of their amplitudes with time, which should cause the amplitudes of the electric signals at the first and second sound frequencies to grow. This instability is analogous to the growth of the amplitude of long gravity waves on a shallow-water surface that propagate in the direction of decreasing basin depth.     

Vertical Velocities and Temperature of the Neutral Component in the Upper Atmosphere

Results of measurements of the velocity of the vertical plasma motion and the temperature of the neutral component in the upper atmosphere and comparison of variations in these parameters have been described. The measurements have been carried out by the resonance scattering of radio waves by artificial periodic irregularities in the ionospheric plasma. The irregularities arise when the ionosphere is modificated by a powerful high-frequency radio emission from a Sura midlatitude heating facility. Comparison has been conducted using experimental data on altitude- and time-dependent variations in the above parameters obtained in experiments of 2010 and 2014. It has been shown that, above 100 km, wavelike variations in temperature and velocity are commonly observed simultaneously. In the absence of wavelike variations, there is a tendency to an increase in temperature with an increase in the velocity of the vertical plasma motion regardless of direction. This tendency can be attributed to thermal flows directed upward from the turbulent region of the ionosphere.     

Random sound waves in a weakly stratified atmosphere

The influence of random mass density and velocity fields on the frequencies and amplitudes of the sound waves that propagate along a constant gravity field is examined in the limit of weak random fields, small amplitude oscillations and a weakly stratified medium. Using a perturbative method, we derive dispersion relations from which we conclude that the effect of a space-dependent random mass density field is to attenuate sound waves. Frequencies of these waves are higher than in the case of a coherent medium. A time-dependent random mass density field increases frequencies and amplifies the sounds waves. On the other hand, a space-dependent random flow reduces the wave frequencies and attenuates the sound waves. The time-dependent random flow raises the frequencies of the sound waves and amplifies their amplitudes. In the limit of the gravity-free medium the above results are in an agreement with the former findings.     

Measurement and modeling of three-dimensional sound intensity variations due to shallow-water internal waves

Broadband acoustic data (30-160 Hz) from the SWARM'95 experiment are analyzed to investigate acoustic signal variability in the presence of ocean internal waves. Temporal variations in the intensity of the received signals were observed over periods of 10 to 15 min. These fluctuations are synchronous in depth and are dependent upon the water column variability. They can be explained by significant horizontal refraction taking place when the orientation of the acoustic track is nearly parallel to the fronts of the internal waves. Analyses based on the equations of vertical modes and horizontal rays and on a parabolic equation in the horizontal plane are carried out and show interesting frequency-dependent behavior of the intensity. Good agreement is obtained between theoretical calculations and experimental data.     

Lower polar ionosphere during a solar flare as revealed from radiooccultation data in satellite-to-satellite links

It is shown that there are typical variations in the amplitude and phase of decimetric radio waves in satellite-to-satellite links due to variations in the polar ionosphere structure. The altitude profiles of the electron number density and vertical size of the ionospheric sporadic structures in the nighttime polar regions during the period of intense solar activity in October 25 to November 09, 2003 are estimated. Correlation between the the ionosphere characteristics and the solar-wind parameters is discussed. It is noted that the effect of energetic-particle precipitation due to the influence of shock waves of the solar wind is the main factor responsible for strong variations in the nighttime polar ionosphere. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 181–191, March 2009.     

Solving a Two-Dimensional Telegraph Equation with Anisotropic Parameters

We solve a two-dimensional telegraph equation with anisotropic parameters, which models the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the Earth–ionosphere waveguide, in the frequency range 0.1-30 Hz. The results are generalized to allow for the Earth's sphericity and the horizontal inhomogeneity of the waveguide. It is shown that the resonance character of reflection from the ionosphere at frequencies below 10 Hz becomes pronounced for the horizontal magnetic-field components and for the vertical electric-field component of a horizontal dipole. In the case of low solar activity under nighttime conditions, the oscillations in the frequency dependences of the field components are much more pronounced compared with the case of high solar activity.     

The variations of the atmospheric parameters on measurements using the artificial periodic irregularities of plasma

The experimental data 2007–2010 on the altitudinal-temporal variations of the neutral atmosphere temperature at lower thermosphere heights are presented. The measurements were carried out by means of the artificial periodic irregularities formed under action of the powerful high frequency radio waves. The temperature and vertical velocity altitudinal variations of different character are compared. The cases of the atmosphere instability growth and following generation of the internal gravity waves are considered. The estimations of the gravity wave dissipation owing to the viscosity and the thermal conductivity are done.     

Effect produced on sound propagation by an internal temperature front moving over the shelf

Results of observing the changes that occur in the vertical distribution of water temperature under the effect of an intense atmospheric cyclone and the influence of these changes on sound propagation in the shelf region of the Sea of Japan are presented. The measurement results refer to the autumn conditions. The measuring equipment includes a vertical acoustic-hydrophysical measuring system, a broadband transmitter (both of them being connected with the shore station by cable lines), and a self-contained resonance (320 Hz) transmitter of the electromagnetic type. The sound (tone signals) propagation is studied on a 510-m-long constant-depth (38 m) track (TON-310 Hz) and a 10.6-km-long track (TON-320 Hz), which is set up by placing the self-contained transmitter at the bottom (at a depth of 65 m). Results of field experiments are presented along with those of numerical simulation of the effect produced by an internal temperature front moving toward the coast and formed by the seasonal thermocline on the propagation of 320-Hz sound signals through it. It is shown that refraction and scattering of sound waves propagating through the temperature front moving along the acoustic track may cause intensity variations of acoustic field at the reception point, which occur synchronously at different depths and have amplitudes of up to 14 dB and a period of about 40 min.     

Investigation of wave motions in the lower ionosphere by the method of resonance scattering of radio waves from artificial periodic inhomogeneities

We present the results of studies of wave motions at lower-ionosphere altitudes by a new method based on measurements of the velocity of vertical motion of plasma by the variation of the phase of the signal that is backscattered from artificial periodic inhomogeneities of electron density (ionospheric arrays). The method allows us to study processes with different time scales and periods of from several dozens of seconds to some hours or longer. In the course of long-term 1990–1991 observations conducted near Nizhny Novgorod we determined some dynamic and spectral characteristics of internal gravity waves. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 308–321, March, 1997.     

Variations in the parameters of scattered signals and the ionosphere connected with plasma modification by high-power radio waves

We describe the results of using the incoherent scatter technique to observe time-altitude variations in regular parameters of the ionospheric plasma and wave disturbances, which accompanied periodic modification of the near-Earth plasma by radio waves emitted by the “Sura” facility. A distinctive feature of the experiments was that the processes in the ionosphere were diagnosed at a distance of about 1000 km from the facility. It was found that the spectrum composition of wave disturbances in the electron density was changing noticeably during the active experiment. Quasi-periodic processes in the ionosphere were observed with a delay of about 40–60 min. The relative amplitude of wave disturbances was equal to 0.02–0.10, and the periods were equal to 30, 60, 120, and 150–180 min. The observed effect can be explained by the generation and/or amplification of traveling ionospheric disturbances. The results of theoretical estimations agree well with the observational data.