Spacecraft observations of quasi-periodic structures in the stratosphere

Spectral analysis of stellar scintillation observed aboard the Mir space station through the Earth's stratosphere demonstrates the presence of narrow peaks in the estimated spectra. The paper considers the results of observations performed under optimal conditions at two orbits. Statistical estimation of the reliability of the peaks shows that, with a probability of more than 0.99, they correspond to the presence of vertically quasi-periodic structures in the field of air-density fluctuations at heights of about 35 km. The estimates of the quasi-periods and vertical lengths of the observed structures are presented. The contribution of the structures to the mean square of density fluctuations in the layer in which these structures were observed is estimated, and the possible causes of their formation are discussed.