First Results From the Spatial Heterodyne Imager for Mesospheric Radicals (SHIMMER): Diurnal Variation of Mesospheric Hydroxyl

Abstract

We present the first SHIMMER observations of the diurnal variation of mesospheric hydroxyl (OH). We compare our data with Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) observations at about 13h local time near 55N and find very good agreement. This validates the Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy technique for space-borne optical remote sensing applications. We extend our analysis to other local times, not observed by MLS, for latitudes near 55N in the summer of 2007. At 74 km, we find excellent agreement with a photochemical model, but above 76 km, significant model/data differences in the shape of the OH diurnal variation are observed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 08, 2008
Accession Number
ADA521292

Entities

People

  • Andrew J. Kochenash
  • Christian Von Savigny
  • Christoph R Englert
  • David E. Siskind
  • Fred L. Roesler
  • Herbert M. Pickett
  • John M. Harlander
  • Michael H. Stevens

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemistry
  • Data Analysis
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Earth Orbits
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Orbits
  • Physics
  • Remote Sensing
  • Space Sciences
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Water Vapor

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space