Chilean Solar Eclipse Data Analysis: the Wavelet Method

Abstract

Internal atmospheric gravity waves, similar to ocean waves, are oscillations between stably stratified atmospheric layers that redistribute energy on a vast scale. However, this phenomenon is a relatively recent discovery and still remains under-studied. A better understanding of the generation, behavior, and characteristics of gravity waves could help improve both weather and climate forecasting models. In furtherance of this goal, a multi-state coalition of universities funded by NASA and NSF traveled to Chile for the solar eclipse on December 14, 2020. We then launched weather balloons to capture 50 hours of continuous atmospheric data surrounding the eclipse. In this presentation, we examine the wavelet method for extracting the physical characteristics of atmospheric gravity waves from our data. Based on this analysis, we hope to confirm or deny the solar eclipse as a source of new waves, increasing our understanding of the atmosphere.