SA23D-2361
Na Lidar measurement of neutral wind and temperature in the lower thermosphere
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
Alan Z Liu1, Yafang Guo1, Fabio Vargas2, Gary R Swenson2, John A Smith3, Wentao Huang3, Anthony Dominic Mangognia4 and Xinzhao Chu3, (1)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, United States, (2)University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States, (3)University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States, (4)University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
Abstract:
The Na wind/temperature Lidar at the Andes Lidar Observatory has been in operation since 2009. A recent upgrade in May 2014 has resulsted in significant increase in signal levels. Since then, the Lidar has detected the presence of neutral Na in the lower thermosphere above the normal Na layer, extending to as high as 160 km. This thermospheric Na was observed frequently at about 30% of the time. With the signals from the thermospheric Na, hourly neutral wind and temperature are derived up to 130 km. This is the first time the Lidar neutral wind measurement is extended into the lower thermosphere. In this presentation, the neutral wind and temperature from several nights and their uncertainties will be presented. The capabilities of more powerful lidar in the future for the measurement thermospheric neutral properties will be discussed.
