The first observation of the atmospheric tides in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere over Hainan, China

Abstract

Fuke (19.5°N, 109.1°E) meteor radar is the first radar of the low latitudes of China, which is used to detect the wind in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. In this paper, by using the wind data near three months (1 February–20 April, 2009), we first present the variation of the atmospheric diurnal tide, semidiurnal tide and mean wind in the height range 80–100 km over the low latitudes of China. The results from our analysis are summarized below. During spring months, there are quite strong tides in the mesopause region of Fuke. The diurnal tidal amplitude is significantly larger than the amplitude of semidiurnal tide, and the maximum amplitude (about 100 m/s) of diurnal tide appear in the meridional wind. The vertical phases of both diurnal tide and semidiurnal tide propagate downward. In addition, the observed tides are compared with the linear tide model (Global Scale Wave Model, GSWM02), and the results show that Fuke diurnal tide agrees well with the model, but there are many differences between Fuke semidiurnal tide and the results from model.