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06:27
Measurement of Aerosols Optical Thickness of the Atmosphere using the GLOBE Handheld Sun Photometer
Published on: May 29, 2019
Satellite-borne limb scanning UV spectrometer for thermospheric remote sensing
J B Pranke1, A B Christensen, F A Morse
1Aerospace Corporation, Space Sciences Laboratory, P.O. Box 92957, Los Angeles, California 90009, USA.
Applied Optics
|April 17, 2010
Summary
A satellite-flown spectrometer measured Earth's atmospheric emissions from 85-395 nm. Data revealed thermospheric density, auroral activity, and nighttime sodium emissions.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric physics
- Space science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Understanding Earth's upper atmosphere composition and dynamics is crucial.
- Remote sensing from space provides unique observational capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure atmospheric emissions using a UV spectrometer on a satellite.
- To determine thermospheric density and observe auroral and nighttime emissions.
Main Methods:
- A concave grating Wadsworth spectrometer scanned Earth's UV limb.
- Photon counting detectors covered EUV, far UV, and UV bands (85-395 nm).
- A photometric channel measured the sodium doublet (589.0-589.6 nm).
Main Results:
- Simultaneous spectral coverage of multiple UV bands was achieved.
- Dayglow emissions from thermospheric oxygen and nitrogen were observed.
- Auroral enhancements and nighttime sodium emissions were detected.
Conclusions:
- The instrument successfully provided data on atmospheric emissions.
- Measurements support thermospheric density determination and auroral studies.
- The study demonstrated the capability for observing various atmospheric phenomena.
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