Summary
Atmospheric gravity waves play an important role in transporting energy and momentum between atmospheric spheres and drive circulations that affect key processes such as formation of the ozone hole and the cold summer polar mesosphere. The lack of comprehensive observations over the Antarctic region has an impact on our understanding of these processes. The ANtarctic Gravity Wave Instrument Network (ANGWIN) is a highly successful grassroots programme that was started in 2011, and has been active as a SCAR action group since 2018 . It seeks to use a network of observations to measure gravity waves continent wide and through all levels of the atmosphere, in order to fully understand their impact and to constrain modelling work. Although ANGWIN initially focused on the Antarctic, the group is now aiming to develop collaborations in both polar regions. Current member countries of ANGWIN are Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The objective of ANGWIN network include; Qualify the longitudinal variations in gravity waves and determine causes; Characterize wave propagation and influence; Relate observed gravity waves to sources throughout the atmosphere; Study interactions of gravity waves with planetary scale waves; Compare polar wave observations to model parameterizations; Determine the effects of gravity waves on polar stratospheric cloud formation. In pursuit of these objectives, ANGWIN researchers build our understanding of the effect of climate change on gravity-wave generation, propagation and momentum deposition, and the impact of this change on global atmospheric circulation.