The mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) is one of the scientifically most challenging regions of the atmosphere. The MLT is the region where wave-wave and wave-mean flow interaction processes lead to a mean circulation regime that is extremely far from radiative equilibrium. Although radar measurements of MLT winds are possible since more than half a century, our current knowledge on MLT dynamics is still far from complete, mostly due to incomplete coverage of the global wind field by grond-based remote sensing system.

As a contribution to our knowledge of MLT dynamics a SKiYMET meteor radar is operated at Collm Observatory (51.3°N, 13°E) continuously since August 2004. The measurements deliver hourly wind information in the height range 80-100 km and daily mean temperatures near the mesopause. Together with the LF wind measurements peformed at Collm 1959-2008 a unique MLT circulation parameter dataset is available at Collm.

Current measurements

Meteor radar science results

The measurements are accompanied by numerical atmospheric circulation model experiments using the COMMA-LIM model.

More information on our MLT research is available on the Collm homepage