Wind measurement techniques available for the middle atmosphere program

Abstract

The study of atmospheric dynamics in the Middle Atmosphere Program (MAP) will depend strongly on both the quality and quantity of wind measurements taken during the program. This paper presents a survey of the status of the many techniques which can be utilized to measure wind in the middle atmosphere. Most wind observations in the stratosphere and mesosphere have been made in situ by using balloons and rockets. These observations have been supplemented for many years by observations from ground‐based remote systems such as the meteor radar. In addition, geostrophic winds can be inferred from satellite radiance measurements. In recent years, several radar techniques have been developed that could add significantly to the data base of wind observations for MAP. These include the incoherent scatter radar method, the spaced antenna drift method, and the MST radar technique. The real problem for MAP is to obtain adequate wind data in the 30–80 km range. For this altitude range a variety of rocket techniques are used routinely (about once a week) at stations of the world‐wide Meteorological Rocket Network (MRN). While recent developments in radar measurements of the middle atmosphere raise the possibility of continuous remote wind measurement by using the MST radar and the spaced antenna drift method at a few locations, a truly global set of wind observations must await the development of new satellite techniques that will not be available for another 5–10 years.