Observation of Tidal Effects on LWIR Radiance Above the Mesopause

Abstract

An examination of CO2 infrared limb radiance, directly measured by the SABER instrument aboard the TIMED satellite, reveals unusual structure in the region just above the mesopause, at tangent heights of 95-110 km Global coverage afforded by SABER makes it possible to investigate this behavior, which includes prominent regions with positive radiance Gradients, as a function of latitude, local time, and season The local-time dependence, in particular, suggests a role for atmospheric tides using a tidal model, Global Scale Wave Model, and our non-GTE ARC rode, we modeled the 15 Om radiance. These calculations reproduced the main features of the Global radiance structure, including the heights where positive Gradients occur, and its variation with local time for different latitudes and seasons The conclusion is that tidal perturbation of the temperature field in the lower thermosphere is directly responsible for the observed variability of the long-wave infrared limb radiance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 07, 2007
Accession Number
ADA470415

Entities

People

  • Peter Wintersteiner

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheric Temperature
  • Data Acquisition
  • Equatorial Regions
  • Government Procurement
  • Grids
  • High Altitude
  • Latitude
  • Long-Wavelength Infrared Radiation
  • Measurement
  • Mesopause
  • Observation
  • Spacecraft
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Temperature Inversion

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Space