In-situ observation of thermospheric gravity waves using the satellites GOCE and CHAMP

Gravity waves (GWs) are difficult to measure in many parts of the thermosphere. The Gravity Field and Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) and Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) satellites measure thermospheric density and cross-track wind perturbations caused by GWs. This study analyzes the thermospheric GWs during geomagnetic quiet time. We apply Wavelet Analysis for red noise processes to extract the along-track parameters of intermittent and localized thermospheric TADs with different scales. We use the GW dissipative dispersion and polarization relations to determine the complete intrinsic characteristics of those observed GWs. Finally, we present statistics on the thermospheric GW properties and found a relationship between planetary wave-modulated polar vortex and thermospheric wave generation.