Investigating Thermospheric Waves Over Alaska Using Scanning Doppler Imager

Gravity Waves (GWs) are important drivers of atmospheric dynamics, and can deposit energy and momentum upon breaking as they propagate upwards. As they break, they can cause secondary and higher order GWs, extending their influence into the upper atmosphere, the thermosphere and ionosphere. GW observations in the thermosphere are currently limited. However, the Scanning Doppler Imager in Poker Flat, Alaska provides wind speed measurements which can be used to detect and even characterize waves. In this study, we investigate wave activity using 630.0nm (~250km) zonal and meridional wind measurements from the Scanning Doppler Imager. By looking at different thermospheric wave activity likely generated from different sources (aurora, coupling from below, etc), we may be able to deduce wave sources by distinguishing differing wave characteristics.