A QUANTITATIVE MEASURE OF THE DEGREE OF ANISOTROPY OF TURBULENCE IN TERMS OF ATMOSPHERIC PARAMETERS, WITH PARTICULAR RELEVANCE TO RADAR STUDIES

Anisotropic turbulence and specular reflectors have both been invoked to explain aspect-sensitive radar scatter from the atmosphere. However , conclusions about the dominant type of scatter an usually based on q ualitative arguments, and can tend to be somewhat subjective. In this article, we develop a quantitative relation between the degree of anis otropy of turbulence and prevailing atmospheric conditions. This relat ion is useful in determining whether any particular observation of 'sp ecularity' really can be ascribed to anisotropic atmospheric turbulenc e, or whether a 'specular reflection' process is in effect. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ltd.