Classes:

Student Research Opportunities:

Our Atmospheric Imaging group utilizes state-of-the-art monochromatic imaging systems and novel infrared cameras to study a broad range of atmospheric optical phenomena. These include atmospheric gravity waves, mesospheric airglow emissions and temperatures, noctilucent clouds, equatorial F region dynamics, high-latitude aurora, meteor storms, satellite reentry and lightning-induced optical transients termed "sprites" and "elves". Our field measurements extend from the equator to the polar regions, participating in ground-based campaigns and satellite coordination studies, most recently with the NASA AIM mission to investigate Polar Mesospheric clouds. Currently we operate CCD imagers at Bear Lake Observatory, Utah,and Star Valley High School, Wyoming for tomographic measurements, and Rothera Station, Antarctica. New coordinated measurement programs at Sierra Pachon, Chile, ALOMAR Observatory, Norway, and South Pole station, Antarctica will start in 2009. Graduate and undergraduate students are involved in all aspects of our research including field measurements, image and satellite data analysis, conference presentations and publications.


Student Awards:

  • Chris Olsen, Physics undergraduate:
    • CEDAR 2003 Workshop, Honorable mention, undergraduate student poster, .
    • "US Posters on the Hill" competition, Washington DC, April 2004. One of 80 nationally selected posters presented to Congress in the Capitol building, highlighting undergraduate research. Poster title: "Observation and theory of small-scale atmospheric gravity wave propagation and forcing in the earths upper atmosphere".
Chris

Chris Olsen at the Capitol

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NSF CEDAR Post Doc Awards

Student Advising:


External Advisor/Examiner:


Visiting Students:

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Student Publications:

Taylor, M.J., Y. Zhao, P.-D. Pautet, M.J. Nichols, R.L. Collins, J. Baker-Tvedtness, C.D. Burton, B. Thurairajah, J. Reimuller, R.H. Varney, C.J. Heinselman and K. Mizutani, Coordinated optical and radar image measurements of noctilucent clouds and polar mesospheric summer echoes, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., in revision, October 2008

Collins, R.L., M.J. Taylor, K. Nielsen, K. Mizutani, Y. Murayama, K. Sakanoi, and M.T. DeLand, Noctilucent cloud in the western Arctic in 2005: simultaneous lidar and camera observations and analysis, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., in press, 2008.

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, and M.J. Jarvis, Climatology of short-period mesospheric gravity waves over Halley, Antarctica, Geophys. Res. Lett., in revision, November 2008.

Taylor, M.J., M.A. Bailey, P.D. Pautet, S. A. Cummer, N. Jaugey, J. N. Thomas, N.N. Solorzano, F. Sao Sabbas, R. H. Holzworth,O. Pinto and N. J. Schuch, Rare measurements of a Sprite with Halo event driven by a negative lightning discharge over Argentina, Geophys. Res. Lett., 2007.

Taylor, M.J., W.R. Pendleton, Jr., P.D. Pautet, Y. Zhao, C. Olsen, H. K. Surendra-Babu, A.F. Medeiros, and H. Takahashi, Recent progress in mesospheric gravity wave studies using nightglow imaging systems, Revista Brasileira de Geopfisica, 25 (Supl. 2), 49-58, 2007.

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, R.G. Stockwell and M.J. Jarvis, An Unusual Mesospheric Bore Event Observed at High Latitudes over Antarctica, Geophys. Res. Lett 110, D03S90, doi:10.1029/2004JD004954, 2006. (selected as an AGU highlight)

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, R.G. Stockwell and M.J. Jarvis, An Unusual Mesospheric Bore Event Observed at High Latitudes over Antarctica, Geophys. Res. Lett 110, D03S90, doi:10.1029/2004JD004954, 2006.

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, N. Mitchell, W. Singer, and R.A. Goldberg, Observations of Short-period Gravity Waves during the MACWave 2003 Winter Campaign, Ann. Geophys., 24, 1227-1243, 2006.

Stockwell, R.G., M.J. Taylor, K. Nielsen, and M.J. Jarvis, A novel joint space-wavenumber analysis of an unusual Antarctic gravity wave event, Geophys. Res. Lett.,33, L08805, doi:10.1029/2005GL025660, 2006.

Taylor, M.J., A. Taori, D. R. Hatch, H. L. Liu and R. G. Roble, Characterization of the semi-annual-oscillation in mesospheric temperatures at low-latitudes, Adv. Space Res., doi:10.1016/j.asr.2005.05.111, 2005.

Taylor, M.J., P. Parviainen, and D.R. Hatch, New two-station color video observations of noctilucent clouds from s outh-western Finland. Contributions to the 2nd Mesospheric Cloud Meeting, Galway, Ireland. Article pub. on compact disk by Royal Astron. Soc. Oct., 2003.

Taylor, M.J., K. Nielsen and M. Zalcik, Searching for effects of STS launches on North America NLC occurrence and extent. Contributions to the 2nd Mesospheric Cloud Meeting, Galway, Ireland. Article pub. on compact disk by Royal Astron. Soc. Oct., 2003.

Taylor, M.J., W.R. Pendleton, Jr., S.H. Seo, and R.H. Picard, Remote sensing of gravity wave intensity and temperature signatures at mesopause heights using the nightglow emissions, Remote Sensing 2002, 4882: Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere VII, Session 3: Non-LTE radiation effects in the middle and upper atmosphere I, [4882-20], 2003.

Pendleton, W.R. Jr., M.J. Taylor and L.C. Gardner, Terdiurnal oscillations in OH Meinel rotational temperatures for fall conditions at northern mid-latitude sites, Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 1799, 2000.

Taylor, M.J., L.C. Gardner, I.S. Murray and P. Jenniskens, Jet-like structures and wake in Mg I (518 nm) images of 1999 Leonid storm meteors, Earth, Moon and Planets, 82, 379, 2000.

Taylor, M.J., S.H. Seo, T. Nakamura, T. Tsuda, H. Fukunishi, and Y. Takahashi, Long base-line measurements of short period mesospheric gravity waves during the SEEK campaign, Geophys. Res. Lett., 25, 1797, 1998.

Taylor, M.J., Y.Y. Gu, X. Tao, C.S. Gardner and M.B. Bishop, An investigation of intrinsic gravity wave signatures using coordinated lidar and nightglow image measurements, Geophys. Res. Lett., 22, 2853, 1995.

Taylor, M.J., M.B. Bishop and V. Taylor, All-sky measurements of short period waves imaged in the OI (557.7 nm), Na(589.2 nm) and near infrared OH and O2(0,1) nightglow emissions during the ALOHA-93 campaign, Geophys. Res. Lett., 22, 2833, 1995.

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Student Presentations:

2008

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and S.J. Franke, Doppler Ducting Measurements of Short-Period Gravity Waves and Mesospheric Bores in OH and O2 Airglow Emissions, Poster presentation, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December, 2008.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and S.J. Franke, Observations of Mesopause Region Bores in OH and O2 Airglow Emissions over Maui, Hawaii, Poster presentation, CEDAR Workshop, Midway, UT, June 2008.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and A.Z. Liu, Simultaneous Occurrences of Dynamic Instability in two Airglow Layers due to Anti-Alignment of Shears, Poster presentation, CEDAR Workshop, Midway, UT, June, 2008.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and S.J. Franke, Observation of Mesospheric Bore in OH and O2 Airglow Emissions over Maui, Hawaii, Mesospheric Bores and Ducted Waves Workshop, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, February 2008.

Chapagain, N. and M.J. Taylor, Optical Measurements of Equatorial Plasma Depletions over Christmas Island, Poster presentation, Fall AGU, San Francisco, December 2008.

Chapagain, N., M.J. Taylor, P.-D. Pautet, H. Takahashi and D.C. Fritts, Simultaneous Observations of Equatorial Ionospheric Plasma Bubbles from two Sites During the SpreadFEx Campaign, Poster presentation, CEDAR-DASI Workshop, Midway, UT, June, 2008.

Chapagain, N., M.J. Taylor, P.-D. Pautet, D.C. Fritts, T. Dautermann and J. Haase, Properties and Propagation of Plasma Bubbles Observed Over Brazil During the SpreadFEx Campaign, 2005, Poster presentation, Space Weather Meeting, Boulder, Co, April, 2008.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J.,M.J. Taylor and M. DeLand, Comparison of Satellite and Ground-based Measurements of Polar Mesospheric Clouds, Fall AGU, San Francisco, December 2008.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J., M.J. Taylor, M. DeLand and M. Zalcik, Noctilucent Clouds from Above and Below, International Conference for Physics Students, Krakow, Poland, August 2008.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J., M.J. Taylor, M. DeLand and M. Zalcik, Noctilucent Clouds from Above and Below, Poster presentation 2008 CEDAR Conference, Midway, Utah, June 2008.

2007

Nielsen K., P.F. Jensen, M.J. Taylor, R.L. Collins, A. Kochenash, D.E. Siskind, M.H. Stevens, S.E. Eckermann and Y. Murayama, Large-scale dynamics of noctilucent clouds over Alaska, 2005, Poster presentation, Fall AGU meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2007.

Nielsen K., P.F. Jensen, M.J. Taylor, R.L. Collins and K. Mizutani, Ground-based imaging of NLC dynamics over Alaska, 2005, Poster presentation, 8th International workshop on layered phenomena in the mesospause region, Fairbanks, AK, 2007.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and S.J. Franke, Doppler Ducting of Quasi-Ripple Wave Events in the Mesospheric OH and O2 Airglow Emissions, Poster presentation, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 2007.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and A.Z. Liu, Investigation of Short-Period Ripple-Type Wave Structures in OH and O2 Airglow Emissions and Associated Instabilities in Mesopause Region over Maui, Hawaii, Poster presentation, CEDAR-DASI Workshop, Santa Fe, NM, June 2007.

Phillips, R.S. and M.J. Taylor, Investigationg Seasonal Variability in Short-Period Gravity Waves Over Bear Lake Observatory, Utah, CEDAR, Santa Fe, 2007.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J., D. Burton, M.J. Taylor, M. DeLand, M. Zalcik, Comparison of Satellite and Ground-Based Data on Polar Mesospheric Clouds, Poster presentation 2007 LPMR-8 Workshop, Fairbanks, Alaska, August 2007.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J., Coordinated Investigation of Noctilucent Clouds Using Imaging, Lidar and Radar Measurements, PARS Summer School, Alaska, August 2007.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J., M.J. Taylor, M. DeLand, M. Zalcik, Comparison of Satellite and Ground-Based Data on Polar Mesospheric Clouds, Poster presentation CEDAR Workshop, Santa Fe, NM, June 2007.

2006

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and S.J. Franke, Investigating Short-Period Ripple Events Imaged Simultaneously in the OH and O2 Nightglow Emissions near the Mesopause over Maui, Hawaii, Poster presentation, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 2006.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and R.G. Stockwell, Investigating the Horizontal Characteristics of Short-Period Gravity Waves over Bear Lake Observatory, Utah, Four Corners Section of the APS Fall Meeting, Utah State University, Logan, UT, October 2006.

Simkhada, D.B., M.J. Taylor and R.G. Stockwell, Investigating the Horizontal Characteristics of Short-Period Gravity Waves over Bear Lake Observatory, Utah, Poster presentation, CEDAR Workshop, Santa Fe, NM, June 2006.

Barker-Tvedtnes, J., M.J. Taylor, M. DeLand, M. Zalcik, Comparison of Satellite and Ground-Based Data on Polar Mesospheric Clouds, Poster presentation American Physical Society Four Corners Section Meeting, Logan, UT, October 2006.

Nielsen K. and M.J. Taylor, AIM, Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, Poster presentation, SCAR Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 2006.

Nielsen K., M.J. Taylor, R.G. Stockwell, M.J. Jarvis, High-latitude mesospheric bore event observed over Antarctica, Poster presentation, SCAR Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 2006.

Nielsen K., M.J. Taylor and M.J. Jarvis, Propagation of short-period mesospheric gravity waves over Halley, Antarctica, Poster presentation, SCAR Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 2006.

Nielsen K., M.J. Taylor and M.J. Jarvis, Propagation of short-period mesospheric gravity waves over Halley, Antarctica, CEDAR workshop, Santa Fe, NM, 2006.

2005

Nielsen K., M. J. Taylor, R. L. Collins, P. F. Jensen, L. Su, B. Thurairajah, J. G. McDonald, Z. J. Marlow and K. Mizutani, Coordinated imaging and lidar measurements of noctilucent cloud dynamics over Poker Flat, Alaska, August 2005, Fall AGU meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 2005.

Nielsen K., M.J. Taylor, M.J. Jarvis, Climatology of small-scale mesospheric gravity waves observed at two stations over Antarctica, CEDAR workshop, Santa Fe, NM, June 2005.

2004

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor and M. Jarvis, Climatology of small-scale mesospheric gravity waves observed over Antarctica, CEDAR 2004 Meeting, Santa Fe, NM, June 2004.

2003

Hatch, D.R., and M.J. Taylor, NLC Measurements from Finland, US-Japan meeting, Jackson Hole, October 2003.

Hatch, D.R., M.J. Taylor, A. Taori and W.K. Hocking, Simultaneous Mesospheric Wind, Gravity Wave and Temperature Measurements at Bear Lake Observatory, Utah, Poster, CEDAR meeting, June 2003.

Nielsen, K., and M.J. Taylor, Near-IR and Visible Low-Light Image Measurements During the Leonids 2002 Airborne Campaign, US-Japan meeting, Jackson Hole, October 2003.

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, P. Jenniskens, J. Plane, D. Bushman and R.A. Goldberg, Airborne Investigations of Atmospheric Emissions (0.9-1.6 µm) using an InGaAs Camera, Poster, CEDAR 2003 Meeting, Longmont, CO, June 2003.

Olsen, C.L., and M.J. Taylor, Small-Scale Gravity Wave Ducting and Breaking Events as Observed at Christmas Island and Bear Lake Observatory, US-Japan meeting, Jackson Hole, October 2003.

Olsen, C.L., M.J. Taylor and R.A. Vincent, Equatorial MLT Gravity Wave Measurements, CEDAR 2003 Meeting, Longmont, CO, June 2003.


Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, J. Plane, D. Bushman and R.A. Goldberg, Airborne investigations of atmospheric emissions (0.9-1.6 micron) using an InGaAs cmamera, Poster presentation, US-Japan meeting, Jackson Hole, WY, 2003.

Nielsen, K., M.J. Taylor, J. Plane, D. Bushman and R.A. Goldberg, Airborne investigations of atmospheric emissions (0.9-1.6 micron) using an InGaAs cmamera,CEDAR workshop, Santa Fe, NM, June 2003.

2002 and earlier

Gardner, L.C., and M.J. Taylor, Chance observations of Sprites and Elves over Europe during the 999 Leonids-MAC airborne campaign, Second Leonids-MAC workshop, Tel Aviv, 2000

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