On the detection and attribution of gravity waves generated by the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric physics
• Geophysics
• Solar eclipse studies

Background:

• Internal gravity waves are atmospheric disturbances generated by sudden forcing changes.
• Solar eclipses cause localized cooling, acting as a forcing anomaly that can generate these waves.
• Eclipse-driven gravity waves may manifest as detectable pressure and temperature changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate for eclipse-driven gravity wave perturbations during the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse over the UK.
• To analyze surface and atmospheric data for evidence of these waves.
• To determine wave periodicities aloft using radiosonde data.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of surface pressure and temperature data from Reading and Lerwick.
• Utilizing radiosonde wind data from the same sites.
• Applying a moving parcel analysis method to identify wave periodicities.

Main Results:

• No definitive eclipse-driven gravity wave perturbations were confidently identified at the surface.
• Analysis aloft also did not yield conclusive evidence of eclipse-driven gravity waves.
• Detected perturbations could not be reliably attributed to the solar eclipse.

Conclusions:

• Complex synoptic weather conditions present during the eclipse likely obscured any potential eclipse-driven gravity waves.
• The study highlights the challenges in detecting subtle atmospheric phenomena amidst prevailing weather systems.
• Further research may be needed under clearer atmospheric conditions to confirm eclipse-gravity wave interactions.