Post by mesospheric on Sept 9, 2010 8:58:51 GMT
Simply for those who have an interest in the more scientific aspects of NLC, here is the poster (link only, due to size needed for reading it comfortably)- you are the first to see it - that will go up in next week's Radio 4 final in Birmingham (please note: all graphics/plots are copyrighted and may not be used elsewhere without permission):
static.zooomr.com/images/9448196_255f79d069_o.jpg
Here is a plot of mesospheric temperatures against NLC elevation (note: elevation scale is inverted: high at bottom, low at top), kindly drawn for me by Dr. David Sandford, University of Bath:
And here is the regression analysis, where most of the data lies within the standard error limits (note: 'warm' mesosphere at bottom left, cold at bottom right). Interestingly, the worst outlier (almost unnoticed) at the top, 50 degrees of elevation - can probably be explained by the fact that this display showed strong and extensive gravity wave (billow) structure. So, it was less the planetary wave and more gravity waves propagating from the lower atmosphere that was likely responsible for most of this display (14/15 June, if I recall). Also thanks to David Sandford's plotting and stats skills:
static.zooomr.com/images/9448196_255f79d069_o.jpg
Here is a plot of mesospheric temperatures against NLC elevation (note: elevation scale is inverted: high at bottom, low at top), kindly drawn for me by Dr. David Sandford, University of Bath:
And here is the regression analysis, where most of the data lies within the standard error limits (note: 'warm' mesosphere at bottom left, cold at bottom right). Interestingly, the worst outlier (almost unnoticed) at the top, 50 degrees of elevation - can probably be explained by the fact that this display showed strong and extensive gravity wave (billow) structure. So, it was less the planetary wave and more gravity waves propagating from the lower atmosphere that was likely responsible for most of this display (14/15 June, if I recall). Also thanks to David Sandford's plotting and stats skills: