A high resolution, nonlinear, time dependent gravity wave model extending from the surface to thermosphere has been recently developed (Bacmeister and Schoeberl, 1988). Professor Strobel and Dr. Bacmeister will use this model in a coordinated series of investigations to understand the role of gravity wave forcing, propagation, breakdown and transport in the middle atmosphere. These investigations will also involve the use observational data from STEP, AAOE and AASE aircraft experiments, as well as MST observations to verify model results and develop parameterizations for gravity wave stresses in general circulation models. Results from the proposed investigation will have application to modeling the transport of chemically active constituents in the middle atmosphere, e g. H2O, CO, and O, and the transport of heat in the upper mesosphere. The latter may directly affect the thermal structure in this region.//
