Observations of Atmospheric Dynamics Using Radar Techniques

Abstract

A surprisingly large amount of information about atmospheric dynamics can be obtained by studying the fluctuations of the amplitude and phase of radar echoes back-scattered from density irregularities. The method has been extensively used by the Atmospheric Physics Group at the University of Adelaide, and elsewhere. In the present paper these techniques are traced back to their origin in the pioneering work of J. L. Pawsey in the 1930s, and followed through to the present day. The reasons which led to the construction of the large antenna array near Adelaide (the 'Buckland Park array') are explained, and the observations which can be made with it are described. These include radar measurements of winds, turbulence and momentum flux in the height range 60 to 95 km. Plans for instrumental improvements and for future work are outlined. The paper is not intended to be a general review of the field, but rather a history of a technique and its development in the research groups with which the author has been associated.