Determination of turbulent energy dissipation rate directly from MF-radar determined velocity

MF radar systems are able to determine horizontal neutral winds in the meso sphere and, to some extent in the lower thermosphere by cross-correlations of signals received at spaced antennas. Essentially, by also computing auto -correlations, signal fading may be measured which in turn is thought to be largely attributable to turbulence. Hitherto, estimates of upper limits fo r the turbulent energy dissipation rate have been derived from the characte ristic fading times. In this paper, we propose that power spectra of the ve locity components themselves may be used to yield estimates of turbulent en ergy dissipation rate. 2-minute resolution velocities from the Universities of Saskatchewan, Tromso anti Nagoya joint MF radar at 69 degrees N, 19 deg rees E are used in a pilot analysis to illustrate and ratify the method.