Radar Remote Sensing of the Earth's Atmosphere

Abstract

Atmospheric radar techniques are developed for sensing the Earth's atmospheric dynamics. Winds and other parameters aloft are deduced from echoes reflected back from the atmosphere. The MU (Middle and Upper atmosphere) radar established by Kyoto University in 1984 has resolved numerous mysteries of the atmosphere, especially above 10km in altitude. The region used to be thought so quiet that no significant meteorological phenomena occurred there. However, the MU radar has revealed that various atmospheric waves are raging there, and even the seasonal change of global-scale winds around 60-90km is controlled by these waves propagating upward from near the surface. The atmospheric radar techniques have been employed for the operational weather forecast in Japan. Also, it is expected that a number of the mysteries of the equatorial atmosphere will be enlightened with the MU-like radar called the Equatorial Atmosphere Radar established at the equator in Sumatra, Indonesia.