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

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.