SynopsisThe generation, propagation, and dissipation of atmospheric planetary waves (PW), tides, and gravity waves (GW) constitute the primary mechanism that transfers energy and momentum from the atmosphere to space. While single-location ground-based observations have been making successful measurements of such waves over the past decades, NSF funded ground-based observations are not yet systematically distributed at the same latitude or the same longitude, despite the importance of latitudinal and longitudinal dependence of dynamical processes like large scale wave propagation, interaction, and dissipation. This white paper discusses the significance and potential of coordinating a chain of ground-based instruments with the current large facilities to extend the latitudinal and longitudinal observational coverage in the American sector (both South and North America). We further discuss the benefits of co-locating heterogeneous instruments with different techniques and different temporal/spatial resolution/coverage, for instance, radio instruments (e.g., ISR, HF radar, meteor radar), optical instruments (e.g., FPI, lidar, airglow imager), magnetometers, ionosondes, sounding rockets and so on.
Key points1. Build west-east dual hemisphere observational capability that connects the North American, European, and Asian longitudinal sectors. 2. Build north-south dual hemisphere observational capability from the north pole to the south pole in the American longitudinal sector. 3. Develop and deploy the next-generation ground-based instruments, and co-locate heterogeneous small instruments with large facilities.