HR: 1330h
AN: SA12B-1090    [PDF]
TI: Determination of Density and Temperature at High Altitudes using Raleigh and Raman Scattering of Solar radiation
AU: * Sharma, R D
EM: ramesh.sharma@hanscom.af.mil
AF: Air Force Research Lab/VSBT, 29 Randolph Road, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731
AU: Richards, E N
EM: edward.richards@hanscom.af.mil
AF: Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
AU: Sioris, C E
AF: Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophyscis, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
AU: Chance, K V
AF: Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophyscis, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
AB: The concept of determining the density (particles/unit volume) of atomic and molecular species at high altitudes (100-600 km) by passive remote sensing of the Raleigh and Raman limb-scattered solar radiation is explored. While both atoms and molecules contribute to Raleigh Scattering, only molecules normally contribute to Raman Scattering. Although the rotationally Raman Scattered component of the radiation is usually 20-40 times weaker than its Raleigh counterpart, the atomic and molecular contributions may be separated using different functional dependence of the two mechanisms on the scattering angle. Since the atmosphere at these altitudes is not well mixed, the dominant contributors to atomic (O, N, He, Ar) and molecular (nitrogen, oxygen) scattering may be further distinguished by their differing scale heights. The limb densities thus obtained will be used to calculate the filling in of a number of Fraunhofer lines (Ring effect) to derive the rotational temperatures of the molecular species. Finally, Abel inversions will be carried out to obtain the density and temperature profiles as functions of altitude.
DE: 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
SC: SPA - Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting