Acoustic-gravity waves in a nonadiabatic atmosphere

The effect of a real departure of the atmosphere from the adiabaticity condition on the generation and dissipation of acoustic-gravity waves (AGWs) throughout the entire height of the atmosphere up to the mesopause (approximate to 90 km) is studied. The results of solving the derived dispersion equation can be helpful in the formation of boundary conditions during simulation of the propagation of wave disturbances in the thermosphere and above. Unlike an adiabatic model, in a nonadiabatic model of the atmosphere, the frequencies (the roots of the dispersion equation) are complex and waves attenuate in some atmospheric layers, whereas other layers are unstable with respect to the onset of the corresponding AGW modes. As the height increases, the phase velocities of both acoustic and gravity branches of AGWs decrease and dissipation is enhanced. It is shown that macroscopic flows, along with periodic disturbances, are generated in a nonadiabatic atmosphere.