Identification of a thunderstorm as a source of short period gravity waves in the upper atmospheric nightglow emissions

Abstract

A short period gravity wave train was detected by its effect on three upper atmospheric nightglow emissions, the OI 557.7 nm and Na 589.2 nm lines and the OH bands between 715 and 810 nm (Taylor et al., 1987, Planet. Space Sci. 35, 413). Images of these emissions, which were recorded on the evening of 14 August 1980 from the Gornergrat Observatory, Switzerland (45.98°N, 7.78°E), contained high contrast wave-like structures coherent in all three emissions and exhibiting curvature. These properties have been used to identify a thunderstorm centred over southern France as the most likely source of the waves.