A spectral analysis of global atmospheric temperature fields observed by the selective chopper radiometer on the Nimbus 4 satellite during the year 1970–1

Abstract
Meteorological measurements from a satellite in near-polar orbit cover the entire globe twice per day, providing adequate data for the first time over the poles and oceans. The selective chopper radiometer on Nimbus 4, launched in April 1970, has monitored the three-dimensional atmospheric temperature field continuously for over two years. In this paper we examine the data for the one-year period June 1970 to May 1971. A spectral analysis of the satellite data in time is shown to be equivalent to an analysis of the temperature pattern in both longitude and time. Analyses of the stratospheric temperatures for the four latitudes 60° N, 20° N, 20° S and 60° S demonstrate the presence of both static and travelling waves. The variation of the amplitudes and phases of these waves with latitude, height and season are described. Strong wave activity occurred in the polar regions during winter and spring seasons, the energy being predominantly in the first three wavenumbers.

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