Observations of Dynamical Processes Active in the Atmosphere

Profiles of atmospheric properties have been measured using mass spectrometers, accelerometers, and other instruments on rockets. These measurements have been combined together with results from several generations of ground-based lidar instruments to provide a data base with measurements including many locations and different geophysical conditions during the past 50 years. In addition to measuring the profiles of gas species concentrations, total density, aerosol properties, temperature, and wind velocity from the surface to 150 km, these measurements have also been used to characterize the dynamical processes in the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. Profiles of atmospheric properties often exhibit the changes that best describe the dynamical processes present in the atmosphere. For example, the profiles of atmospheric density and temperature show the signatures of gravity waves, and time sequences of these same properties over a few days exhibit the changes associated with the planetary wave field. Many measured profiles have been used to develop the analyses of several atmospheric properties and interpret several interesting dynamical processes in the atmosphere. This presentation will describe the measurements of properties that have been used to interpret a few of the dynamical processes, such as those that result in the occurrence of stratospheric warmings, and in the formation of noctilucent clouds.