Radar Observations of a Gravitational Wave in Clear Air Near the Tropopause Associated with CAT

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Abstract
A wavelike structure near the tropopause has been observed with a sensitive radar system. The structure occurred in clear air and showed evidence of various stages of development and breakdown. The echo structural features are examined and compared with radiosonde data and gravitational wave concepts. The radar reflectivity is used, within the framework of the theory of scatter of electromagnetic energy from a turbulent medium, to deduce some properties of the turbulence. The results are consistent with the concept that clear air turbulence (CAT) was responsible, to some degree, for the radar echoes. Abstract A wavelike structure near the tropopause has been observed with a sensitive radar system. The structure occurred in clear air and showed evidence of various stages of development and breakdown. The echo structural features are examined and compared with radiosonde data and gravitational wave concepts. The radar reflectivity is used, within the framework of the theory of scatter of electromagnetic energy from a turbulent medium, to deduce some properties of the turbulence. The results are consistent with the concept that clear air turbulence (CAT) was responsible, to some degree, for the radar echoes.

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