Retrieval and validation of mesospheric temperatures from Wind Imaging Interferometer observations

Shepherd, M. G.; Reid, Boedijanti; Zhang, Shengpan; Solheim, B. H.; Shepherd, G. G.; Wickwar, Vincent B; Herron, Joshua P.

doi:10.1029/2000ja000323

Cited by 31 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…On the other hand, it is known that, apart from regular seasonal changes of the neutral atmosphere temperature, the mesosphere is also characterized by temperature variations during each season, due to gravity and planetary waves, atmospheric tides and other factors (Hauchecorne et al, 1987;Aikin et al, 1991;Yu et al, 1997;States and Gardner, 1998;Shepherd et al, 2001). Significant (up to ±30 K) and irregular temperature fluctuations are observed often especially in the winter mesosphere (Theon et al, 1967;Shepherd et al, 2001). This phenomenon is known as the winter anomaly (Aikin et al, 1977;Offermann, 1979).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electron density profiles in the quiet lower ionosphere based on the results of modeling and experimental data

et al. 2012

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Abstract. The theoretical PGI (Polar Geophysical Institute) model for the quiet lower ionosphere has been applied for computing the ionization rate and electron density profiles in the summer and winter D-region at solar zenith angles less than 80 • and larger than 99 • under steady state conditions. In order to minimize possible errors in estimation of ionization rates provided by solar electromagnetic radiation and to obtain the most exact values of electron density, each wavelength range of the solar spectrum has been divided into several intervals and the relations between the solar radiation intensity at these wavelengths and the solar activity index F 10.7 have been incorporated into the model. Influence of minor neutral species (NO, H 2 O, O, O 3 ) concentrations on the electron number density at different altitudes of the sunlit quiet D-region has been examined. The results demonstrate that at altitudes above 70 km, the modeled electron density is most sensitive to variations of nitric oxide concentration. Changes of water vapor concentration in the whole altitude range of the mesosphere influence the electron density only in the narrow height interval 73-85 km. The effect of the change of atomic oxygen and ozone concentration is the least significant and takes place only below 70 km.Model responses to changes of the solar zenith angle, solar activity (low-high) and season (summer-winter) have been considered. Modeled electron density profiles have been evaluated by comparison with experimental profiles available from the rocket measurements for the same conditions. It is demonstrated that the theoretical model for the quiet lower ionosphere is quite effective in describing variations in ionization rate, electron number density and effective recombination coefficient as functions of solar zenith angle, solar activity and season. The model may be used for solving inverse tasks, in particular, for estimations of nitric oxide concentration in the mesosphere.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electron density profiles in the quiet lower ionosphere based on the results of modeling and experimental data

et al. 2012

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“…The vertical resolution of WINDII VSR data, from which temperature and BSR are derived, is 2 km in the height range 65 to 115 km. More information on the WINDII experiment can be found elsewhere (Shepherd et al, 1993). About 45 data profiles of VSR are observed per day within a 10 • latitudinal band, which allows the mapping of the PMC and their brightness at high latitudes (>55 • ) in both hemispheres.…”

Section: Satellite-based Pmc Observations By the Windii Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The WINDII volume scattering radiances (VSR) are obtained from the green-line O( 1 S) background filter at a wavelength of 553 nm. The radiance detected by the instrument is predominantly scattered solar radiation from the atmospheric molecules, thus having a Rayleigh-type exponential distribution with height, and is used to derive back-scatter ratios (Evans et al, 1995) and mesospheric temperatures (Shepherd et al, 2001). Since the WINDII temperatures are derived from the Rayleigh scattering radiances in the presence of PMCs no temperature measurements are possible within the PMCs as the scattered light is distorted from its exponential profile.…”

Section: Satellite-based Pmc Observations By the Windii Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vertical profiles of the BSR in the height range 70 to 90 km are derived from the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) (Shepherd et al, 1993) observations of Volume Rayleigh Scattering Radiance (VRSR). WINDII was primarily designed to measure global winds, by measuring the wavelength shift of visible airglow emission lines.…”

Section: Satellite-based Pmc Observations By the Windii Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Retrieving mesospheric water vapour from observations of volume scattering radiances

Vergados

Shepherd

2009

Ann. Geophys.

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Abstract. This study examines the possibility for a theoretical approach in the estimation of water vapour mixing ratios in the vicinity of polar mesospheric clouds (PMC) using satellite observations of Volume Scattering Radiances (VSR) obtained at the wavelength of 553 nm. The PMC scattering properties perturb the underlying molecular Rayleigh scattered solar radiance of the background atmosphere. As a result, the presence of PMC leads to an enhancement in the observed VSR at the altitude of the layer; the PMC VSRs are superimposed on the exponentially decreasing with height Rayleigh VSR, of the PMC-free atmosphere. The ratio between the observed and the Rayleigh VSR of the background atmosphere is used to simulate the environment in which the cloud layer is formed. In addition, a microphysical model of ice particle formation is employed to predict the PMC VSRs. The initial water vapour profile is perturbed until the modelled VSRs match the observed, at which point the corresponding temperature and water vapour profiles can be considered as a first approximation of those describing the atmosphere at the time of the observations. The role of temperature and water vapour in the cloud formation is examined by a number of sensitivity tests suggesting that the water vapour plays a dominant role in the cloud formation in agreement with experimental results. The estimated water vapour profiles are compared with independent observations to examine the model capability in the context of this study. The results obtained are in a good agreement at the peak of the PMC layer although the radiance rapidly decreases with height below the peak. This simplified scenario indicates that the technique employed can give a first approximation estimate of the water vapour mixing ratio, giving rise to the VSR observed in the presence of PMC.

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“…Most of the earlier measurements in this region originated from rocket-borne experiments and satelliteborne experiments, such as the wind imaging interferometer (WINDII) and the high-resolution Doppler imager (HRDI) onboard the upper atmosphere research satellite (UARS); this satellite has provided much needed global measurements in recent years (Shepherd et al, 2001 and references therein). However, ground-based Lidars and spectrometers from different locations over the globe have also enabled measurements of upper atmospheric temperatures and its temporal variabilities (Taylor et al, 2001;She et al, 2003;French and Burns, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of optically measured daytime OH temperatures over the tropics during solar maximum and minimum periods

et al. 2010

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This paper deals with the variability of optically measured daytime OH temperatures during two different solar activity epochs, over Trivandrum (8.5 • N, 76.5• E), a tropical station in India. The data used for the present study span the period of February-March, during the solar maximum year of 2001 and solar minimum year of 2005. The mean daytime temperature (180±5 K) during the 2001 study period was found to be lower than the mean temperature (195±9 K) of the 2005 study period by ∼15 K. However, apart from this noticeable shift in mean temperature level, the variabilities in the temperature of both years were strikingly similar. Moreover, the wave periodicities present during these periods were also quite similar. Possible reasons for these observations were investigated in the context of the various forcings that control the energetics of the equatorial mesopause region. The observations presented in this study are unique and reveal a number of newer aspects of the energetics of the tropical mesopause.

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Retrieval and validation of mesospheric temperatures from Wind Imaging Interferometer observations

Cited by 31 publications

References 45 publications

Electron density profiles in the quiet lower ionosphere based on the results of modeling and experimental data

Electron density profiles in the quiet lower ionosphere based on the results of modeling and experimental data

Retrieving mesospheric water vapour from observations of volume scattering radiances

A comparison of optically measured daytime OH temperatures over the tropics during solar maximum and minimum periods

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