This project develops the mesospheric atmospheric gravity wave and temperature sensor (magwats) to directly image mesospheric gravity waves and mesopause temperatures at ~90 KM for global studies of…

Computational Physics, Inc. was awarded a $178,220.18 research grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop the Mesospheric Atmospheric Gravity Wave and Temperature Sensor (MAGWATS). The goal of this instrument is to directly image mesospheric gravity waves and temperatures at an altitude of approximately 90 km to study dynamic forcing and thermal coupling in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. This work is aligned with NASA's heliophysics research priorities, specifically the Solar Terrestrial Probe (STP) #7 Ion-Neutral Coupling in the Atmosphere (INCA) area, which seeks to understand how external drivers like solar activity and internal atmospheric dynamics influence the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The grant was awarded on November 8, 2017 and the project is scheduled for completion on August 11, 2019. No set-aside designation was used for this award.

This project develops the mesospheric atmospheric gravity wave and temperature sensor (magwats) to directly image mesospheric gravity waves and mesopause temperatures at ~90 KM for global studies of dynamic forcing and thermal coupling to the overlaying atmosphere. Many atmospheric gravity waves are generated by disturbances in the troposphere and stratosphere. Those waves, in total, carry significant energy and momentum vertically into the thermosphere-ionosphere, passing through the mesosphere on the way. There has been no ability or effort, to date, to globally characterize these effects on the thermosphere-ionosphere. As stated in the heliophysics recommended roadmap for science and technology, 2009-2030, under solar terrestrial probe (STP) #7 ION-neutral coupling in the atmosphere (inca), we know that important sources of energy that drive the upper atmosphere and ionosphere are externally imposed, such as solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and solar energy imparted to the atmosphere through the solar wind and the magnetosphere during magnetic storms. However, dynamical disturbances generated in the troposphere modify wind structure in the upper atmosphere and significantly affect the properties of both the atmosphere and the ionosphere the goal of this instrument is to target the gravity-wave component of those effects, addressing the question how do large-scale processes in the lower and middle atmosphere control and influence the upper atmosphere and ionosphere?