Rendering of the AWE’s process in charting mesospheric gravity waves’ characteristics. Source: NASA
The Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) of NASA has recently achieved a significant breakthrough by capturing the initial images of the mesosphere from the International Space Station (ISS). The AWE was mounted on the ISS on November 18, with the first operational commands relayed on November 20. These inaugural images, also known as “first light” images, are crucial as they confirm the instrument’s operational success and the mission’s expected progress.
AWE’s key function is to provide comprehensive observations of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) in the mesopause area, located 54 miles (87 kilometers) above the Earth. Analyzing the data from AWE will enable researchers to investigate the genesis of AGWs due to terrestrial weather phenomena and their transit through Earth’s atmosphere. This analysis is crucial for understanding the broader influence of AGWs in the upper atmospheric layers, specifically in the ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere regions, and their impact on space weather.
Pedro Sevilla, AWE Ground Systems & Mission Operations Manager from the Solar Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), along with Michael Taylor, Emeritus Principal Investigator, and Ludger Scherliess, Principal Investigator from Utah State University’s College of Science, were among the first to observe the live transmission of AWE’s images from the ISS to SDL’s AWE Mission Operations Center. Credit: SDL/Allison Bills
The AWE initiative stands at the forefront of space exploration research, concentrating on atmospheric gravity wave studies. These waves are vital for the dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly in the upper layers, including the mesosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere. AWE operates from its advantageous position on the ISS.
One of the main goals of AWE is to observe and examine AGWs in the mesopause region, roughly 54 miles (87 kilometers) above the Earth. This investigation aims to enhance our comprehension of how terrestrial weather events generate these waves and their propagation impact on the higher atmospheric layers. This research is key to understanding the extensive effects of AGWs on the ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere system, particularly regarding space weather phenomena that affect satellite operations and communication systems.
The AWE project is led by Ludger Scherliess at Utah State University in Logan and managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s Explorers Program Office in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University designed the AWE instrument and oversees the mission operations center.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NASA AWE Mesosphere
What is NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE)?
NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment is a groundbreaking project aimed at capturing images and studying the mesosphere. Launched from the International Space Station, AWE focuses on observing atmospheric gravity waves in the mesopause region, approximately 54 miles above Earth, to understand their formation and impact on the upper atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere system, and their influence on space weather.
When were the first images from AWE captured, and why are they significant?
The first images, known as “first light” images, were captured shortly after AWE’s installation on the International Space Station on November 18. These images, first transmitted on November 20, are significant as they confirm the successful operation of the instrument and the expected progress of the mission.
What are the primary objectives of the AWE mission?
The primary objectives of AWE are to observe and analyze atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) in the Earth’s mesopause region. This research aims to deepen our understanding of how weather events on Earth’s surface can generate these waves and how they propagate through and affect the atmosphere’s higher regions. This is vital for comprehending AGWs’ broader impacts on the upper atmosphere and their effects on space weather.
Who is leading the AWE project, and where is it managed?
The AWE project is led by Ludger Scherliess at Utah State University in Logan. It is managed by the Explorers Program Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University designed the AWE instrument and oversees the mission operations center.
More about NASA AWE Mesosphere
- NASA’s Official AWE Project Page
- International Space Station Research
- Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- Atmospheric Gravity Wave Research
- Space Weather Studies and Implications
