Variable anisotropy of small-scale stratospheric irregularities retrieved from stellar scintillation measurements by GOMOS/Envisat
In this paper, we consider possibilities for studying the anisotropy of small-scale air density irregularities using satellite observations of bi-chromatic stellar scintillations during tangential occultations. Estimation of the anisotropy coefficient (the ratio of the characteristic horizontal to v...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2014-06-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/7/1861/2014/amt-7-1861-2014.pdf |
| Summary: | In this paper, we consider possibilities for studying the anisotropy of
small-scale air density irregularities using satellite observations of
bi-chromatic stellar scintillations during tangential occultations.
Estimation of the anisotropy coefficient (the ratio of the characteristic
horizontal to vertical scales) and other atmospheric parameters is based on
the comparison of simulated/theoretical and experimental auto-spectra and
coherency spectra of scintillation. Our analyses exploit a 3-D model of the
spectrum of atmospheric inhomogeneities, which consists of anisotropic and
isotropic components. For the anisotropic component, a spectral model with
variable anisotropy is used. Using stellar scintillation measurements by
GOMOS (Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars) fast photometers,
estimates of the anisotropy coefficient are obtained for atmospheric
irregularities with vertical scales of 8–55 m at altitudes of 43–30 km. It
is shown that the anisotropy increases from about 10 to 50 with increasing
vertical scales. |
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| ISSN: | 1867-1381 1867-8548 |