High Resolution Winds Detected by Non-Specular Meteor Trails between 95 and 110 km Altitude

This paper describes a new method of measuring wind velocity profiles by tracking non-specular meteor echoes. Using the large VHF radar with interferometric capability at the Jicamarca Radio observatory, this technique can produce horizontal wind profiles with 10 minute and 400 m vertical resolution over a period of many hours. We will present two 3-4 hour-long data sets demonstrating this. These observations show wind speeds exceeding 200 m/s that change by as much as 100 m/s over a 2.5 km altitude range. They also show how the wind sheer layers change altitude as dawn approaches and how rapidly winds evolve above 100 km. This research demonstrates a new observational capability developed over the last few years that enables direct measurements of gravity wave dynamics.