Wavenumber Spectra of Atmospheric Gravity Waves and Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Based on More Than 10‐Year Airglow Images in Japan, Russia, and Canada.

We have studied atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) by applying three‐dimensional spectral analysis technique to 557.7‐ and 630.0‐nm airglow images at Shigaraki (SGK) (35°N, 136°E, 1999–2017) and Rikubetsu (RIK) (44°N, 144°E, 1999–2017), Japan, Athabasca (ATH), Canada, (55°N, 247°E, 2005–2017), and Magadan (MGD), Russia (60°N, 151°E, 2008–2017), focusing on their horizontal wavenumber spectra. For the AGWs in 557.7‐nm images, the power spectra in summer are stronger than in other seasons, probably due to stronger tropospheric convection. The highest energy content of the waves are mostly at wavelengths between 20 and 300 km at MGD, ATH, and RIK, while it is above 200 km at SGK. The largest power spectral density is obtained at RIK at wavelengths of 30–100 km and then ATH. The slopes of the horizontal wavenumber spectra varies from −2.77 to −3.22. From the MSTIDs in 630.0‐nm images, the power spectra in summer at RIK and SGK are stronger than those in other seasons regardless of solar activity. The power spectra in solar quiet time are stronger than those in solar active time at all four stations. These features can be explained by the Perkins instability with coupling between sporadic E and F layers. The spectral slope decreases with increasing latitudes. Weak positive correlations were obtained between the daily wave power of AGWs in 557.7‐nm images and MSTIDs in 630.0‐nm images, suggesting that the MSTIDs in the thermosphere may be partially generated by the AGWs from the mesopause region. Plain Language Summary: In this paper we study atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed at four stations in Japan, Canada, and Russia, in 557.7‐ and 630.0‐nm airglow images over more than 10 years. The 557.7‐nm airglow has an emission layer at altitudes of 90–100 km (mesopause region). The waves seen in the 557.7‐nm airglow images mainly indicates AGWs. The 630.0‐nm airglow has an emission layer at altitudes of 200–300 km (bottomside ionosphere). The waves seen in the 630.0‐nm airglow images mainly indicates MSTIDs in the ionosphere. The AGWs in the mesopause region are the main driver of global atmospheric circulation in the middle atmosphere. The MSTIDs in the bottomside ionosphere are one of the causes of the satellite positioning error. We show typical energy content, propagation direction, and wavelengths of these waves at these two altitudes and discuss possible reason of the observed characteristics. These results contribute to our understanding of generation and propagation of AGWs and MSTIDs in the upper atmosphere. Key Points: We conducted the statistical analysis of the horizontal wavenumber spectra of waves in airglow images in Japan, Canada, and RussiaDifferences of horizontal wavenumber spectra at different locations, seasons, and solar activities are quantitatively obtainedWeak positive correlation of the power between atmospheric gravity waves and medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances was observed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]