HR: 16:45h
AN: C24A-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Measuring the Polar Mesosphere With Radio Telescopes
AU: * Martin, C L
EM: Chris.Martin@oberlin.edu
AF: Oberlin College, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, 110 N. Professor St., Oberlin, OH 44074 United States
AU: Burrows, S M
EM: Susannah.Burrows@oberlin.edu
AF: Oberlin College, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, 110 N. Professor St., Oberlin, OH 44074 United States
AB: The 1957 IGY launched a program of upper atmosphere observations that continues to this day. However in 1957, observations of the upper atmosphere were limited to the tools available at the time. As we head toward the 2007 IPY we can take advantage of the tools developed in the past 50 years to continue and expand upon this extensive dataset, as well as consider novel uses for the tools already available on the continent. Over the past ten years, the polar plateau has been established as one of the preeminent sites on Earth from which to perform radio astronomy observations at frequencies ranging from 100 to 2000 GHz. As a by-product of their astronomical observations, these telescopes often collect high quality aeronomy data that is frequently overlooked. By using data from a radio telescope located at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, we have measured the $J=2 \rightarrow 1$ (230 GHz), $J=4\rightarrow 3$ (461 GHz), and $J=7 \rightarrow 6$ (807 GHz) rotational transitions of carbon monoxide (CO) at altitudes from 50 to 90 km above the Earth's surface. These high frequency data provide a surprisingly high resolution window into the dynamics and structure of the mesosphere. With a time series extending over multiple years, these data allow us to study the dynamics of an altitude range difficult to access with other methods. The IPY provides us with an opportunity to expand these interdisciplinary collaborations and use the resources invested in the Antarctic continent to further the scientific aims of a broad range of researchers.
DE: 9310 Antarctica
DE: 6954 Radio astronomy
DE: 6969 Remote sensing
DE: 3334 Middle atmosphere dynamics (0341, 0342)
DE: 3394 Instruments and techniques
SC: Cryosphere [C]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting