Retrieval of mesospheric and lower thermospheric kinetic temperature from measurements of CO2 15 µm Earth Limb Emission under non‐LTE conditions

Authors:
  • CMChristopher J. Mertens
    Christopher J. Mertens
  • MMMartin G. Mlynczak
    Martin G. Mlynczak
  • PWPeter P. Wintersteiner
    Peter P. Wintersteiner
  • RPR. H. Picard
    R. H. Picard
  • JWJeremy R. Winick
    Jeremy R. Winick
  • LGLarry L. Gordley
    Larry L. Gordley
  • JRJames M. Russell
    James M. Russell
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Abstract
We present a new algorithm for the retrieval of kinetic temperature in the terrestrial mesosphere and lower thermosphere from measurements of CO2 15 µm earth limb emission. Non‐local‐thermodynamic‐equilibrium (non‐LTE) processes are rigorously included in the new algorithm, necessitated by the prospect of satellite‐based limb radiance measurements to be made from the TIMED/SABER platform in the near future between 15 km and 120 km tangent altitude. The algorithm requires 20 seconds to retrieve temperature to better than 3 K accuracy on a desktop computer, easily enabling its use in operational processing of satellite data. We conclude this letter with a study of the sensitivity of the retrieved temperatures to parameters used in the non‐LTE models, including sensitivity to the rate constant for physical quenching of CO2 bending mode vibrations by atomic oxygen.

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