On the analysis and interpretation of winds observed at heights of 85 to 135 kilometers: A rebuttal

A recent analysis of winds in the upper atmosphere, as revealed by sodiumvapor trails, led its authors to the conclusion that all the observed winds could be explained on the basis of prevailing and tidal components. Irregularly varying winds were attributed to ‘phase anomalies’ in the tidal oscillations, and the thesis that they were due instead to internal atmospheric gravity waves was excluded. In the present paper the steps that led to these conclusions are examined critically. It is shown that little, if any, weight can be placed in the arguments that were presented, and that there are substantial reasons for rejecting them. The relevance of prevailing and tidal components may be readily accepted, and indeed is supported in a companion paper, but the thesis that these components account for all the winds is simply not in accordance with the available evidence.