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First Satellite Observations of Meteoric Smoke in the Middle Atmosphere
Author(s) -
Hervig Mark E.,
Gordley Larry L.,
Deaver Lance E.,
Siskind David E.,
Stevens Michael H.,
Russell James M.,
Bailey Scott M.,
Megner Linda,
Bardeen Charles G.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2009gl039737
Subject(s) - aeronomy , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric sciences , altitude (triangle) , satellite , mesosphere , occultation , geology , meteor (satellite) , environmental science , climatology , meteorology , stratosphere , geography , astronomy , physics , geometry , mathematics
This work describes the first remote observations of meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) from satellite, by the Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment (SOFIE) onboard the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) platform. The measurements show a layer of MSPs from roughly 35 to 85 km altitude, and indicate a seasonal cycle with reduced MSP abundance during polar summer. The measurements agree favorably with model results, and confirm that MSP transport by the global meridional circulation causes the dramatic reduction in MSPs during polar summer. These new observations represent a major advance in our ability to understand a hitherto poorly characterized class of particles that are thought to be important in numerous atmospheric and terrestrial processes.