Wind measurements at Adelaide (35 ¿S) at heights from 76 to 98 km are analyzed for semidiurnal (or semimonthly) lunar tides. Two data sets are used, one of about 2 years (1984--1985), and one of 1 year (1986). The lunar tide amplitude generally has its largest values at the equinoxes, though this pattern changes in 1984--1985 at the greatest heights to solstice maxima, especially in winter (July). Diurnal average amplitudes reach 4 m s-1 while the largest value obtained was 8 m s-1. Inferred vertical wavelengths of the propagating tides were rather variable, and there was evidence of possible mode coupling and interference. In summer, wavelengths of 25 km occurred below 92 km and were evanescent above, while in winter, long wavelengths were found in the 78 to 90 km range with shorter 38-km wavelengths above the height. Comparisons of phases with results from Saskatoon and Kyoto suggest that around 95 km antisymmetric modes may be dominant in June and December and symmetric modes in February. Diurnal variations in the lunar tide were evident, and year-to-year changes were seen in some aspects. Comparison with currently available models shows several points of disagreement. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1989 |