Engaging Students in Atmospheric Research: Airglow Imaging of Gravity Waves at High Latitudes

We are analyzing high-latitude airglow observations from Tromsø, Norway, collected over a full winter season by the Optical Mesosphere Thermosphere Imagers (OMTI) network. A central focus of the project is the construction and interpretation of keograms—time–longitude or time–latitude slices of the image data that reveal the temporal evolution of atmospheric structures. Keograms provide an efficient way to identify and characterize atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs), which play a key role in transporting energy and momentum in the upper atmosphere. Our study examines the feasibility of using the Tromsø OMTI data set for AGW research, while also serving as a platform for student training in image processing, data analysis, and the development of physical interpretations. This dual emphasis on feasibility assessment and undergraduate learning highlights how accessible ground-based imaging techniques can both advance studies of atmospheric wave dynamics and provide meaningful research experiences for physics students.