Responsible: Bodil Karlsson, Jörg Gumbel, Jacek Stegman, Georg Witt
Noctilucent clouds (NLC) at about 82 km and their mesospheric environment continue to play a central role in MISU's middle atmosphere research. During the summer months, NLCs are observed as a virtually complete cloud cover at latitudes above 70° and with sporadic occurrence at latitudes down to 50°. The OSIRIS optical spectrometer onboard the Odin satellite provides unique opportunities to study NLCs over the entire spectral range 275-815 nm. Spectral features allow us to draw conclusions about cloud particle properties. Comprehensive retrieval algorithms have been developed during recent years.
Additionally, Odin observations supply continuous information about the seasonal and geographical NLC climatology. Transition periods, i.e. the beginning of the NLC season in late spring and the end in late summer, are of particular interest. Their study contributes to a broader understanding of the dynamics and composition of the mesosphere.
Odin allows us to combine data sets that will provide a more complete picture of the polar mesopause region and noctilucent cloud climatology. Retrievals of water and temperature from the SMR instrument will be co-analysed with the NLC data.
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Last updated: January 11, 2006
Jörg Gumbel (gumbel@misu.su.se)