HR: 0830h
AN: ED41B-1166    [PDF]
TI: Satellite Observations and Model Predictions of Rayleigh Scattered UV Radiance
AU: * Carstens, J N
EM: carstens@gi.alaska.edu
AF: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775 United States
AU: Bailey, S M
EM: scott.bailey@gi.alaska.edu
AF: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775 United States
AU: Merkel, A W
EM: mekel@ucar.edu
AF: National Center For Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305 United States
AB: The Student Nitric Oxide Explorer satellite (SNOE) is a spinning satellite which uses a limb directed Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) perpendicular to the satellite's axis of rotation. The instrument has two detectors which are positioned to observe at 215 nm and 237 nm. The purpose of the UVS is to measure NO densities in the Thermosphere. Although NO dominates the signal in the altitude region near its average peak at 106 km, at lower altitudes the signal is dominated by Rayleigh scattered solar radiance from N2 and O2. We have developed a model of the Rayleigh scattered emissions observed by the UVS. In addition to answering many interesting geophysical questions, the model accomplishes two important tasks. Our determination of the tangent altitude of the UVS line of sight is subject to large uncertainties due to the spinning of the satellite. By aligning consistent identifiable features in the modeled Rayleigh scattering altitude profile with the corresponding features in the UVS data we are able to significantly reduce these uncertainties. Also, we use the model to study the instrument calibration as its sensitivity degrades. The model takes into account all of the important factors contributing to the observed signal. The most important factors are the single scattered volume emission rates along the instrument's line of sight and the radiation's extinction on its path to the detector. Ozone is the dominant contributor to absorption of the light and the model shows a significant sensitivity to its presence. The model also takes into account the polarization of the scattered radiation and the sensitivity of the UVS to polarization. The model predictions are in excellent agreement with the UVS data. This agreement adds confidence to our understanding of the physical processes involved and allows us to utilize the model for the tasks described above. This presentation will cover the model development and how it is used to accomplish the altitude registration of the UVS and the sensitivity studies. We will also discuss the comparison of the model results to the UVS observations.
DE: 0340 Middle atmosphere--composition and chemistry
DE: 0341 Middle atmosphere--constituent transport and chemistry (3334)
DE: 0394 Instruments and techniques
DE: 3359 Radiative processes
DE: 3360 Remote sensing
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting