Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) [email protected] 757-728-6893 AIM...
Transcript of Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) [email protected] 757-728-6893 AIM...
AIM Mission Overview, James M. Russell III 1
Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM)
James M. Russell IIIPrincipal InvestigatorHampton University
AIM Mission Overview, James M. Russell III 2
Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM)
Tom Eklund, July 28, 2001, Valkeakoski, Finland
Noctilucent Clouds Observed over Finland
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NLCs are becoming more frequent and brighter
Freq
uenc
y
Time in years
Solar Minima
Anthropogenic Increase?
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A NLC is observed and photographed at 40o latitude for the first time!by AIM Co-Investigator Dr. Michael Taylor
A spectacular but unexpected event: June 22, 1999!
NLCs are being observed at lower latitudes
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Aim is addressing key questions about NLCs
Why do they form?
Why do they vary?
Why have they appeared at such low latitudes (~ 40oN) in 3 recent NH summers?
Is there a relationship to global change?
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SOFIE
Ice, H2O, T, Chemistry, dust
AIM carries three instruments: SOFIE
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6 min
CIPS
Ice images
AIM carries three instruments: SOFIE, CIPS
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6 min
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CDE
Cosmic Dust
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AIM carries three instruments: SOFIE, CIPS, CDE
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AIM launch is Fall 2006 on a Pegasus XL Rocket
600 km sun synchronous high noon orbit
Two year mission