Satellite Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Meteoric Ions and Neutral Species

Abstract

Radiances measured with the GOME spectrometer on the ERS-2 satellite are used to derive the total content of the meteoric metal species Mg+, Mg, Fe+ and Fe. A retrieval algorithm has been developed and applied to determine the species content on a global scale for the year 1996. Results show total content for all the species has a maximum in late summer in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The content of neutrals relative to ions decreases in summer and the same ratio increases in winter. The content of Fe+ is approximately equal to that of Fe. In contrast the Mg+ content is twice that of Mg. The Fe content is five to ten times that of the Mg content. An examination of the content around the times of known meteor showers shows no measurable increases during or following the showers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2006
Accession Number
ADA464989

Entities

People

  • Arthur C. Aikin

Organizations

  • The Catholic University of America

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Data Analysis
  • Detection
  • Electrons
  • Hemispheres
  • Instrumentation
  • Ionosphere
  • Measurement
  • Radiance
  • Radiation
  • Remote Sensing
  • Scattering
  • Seasonal Variations
  • Southern Hemisphere
  • Spacecraft
  • Spectrometers

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster