FS-2001-11-68-LaRC | |
SABER: A Pioneer in Atmospheric Science |
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![]() The TIMED mission will study the natural variability of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere/Ionosphere or the MLTI region. The technique that SABER will use to sound, or make measurements in the atmosphere, has never before been used to study the MLTI region in such detail. SABERs limb measurements are made as the instrument views radiation emitted by the atmosphere such as in the form of airglow. (Fig. 1) These limb scans provide measurements of the temperature and chemical structure of the atmosphere between 10 and 110 miles in altitude. The experiment will provide fundamental information on the radiation budget, chemistry and dynamics of the upper atmosphere. The Upper Atmospheres Radiation BudgetSABER will enhance knowledge of the radiation budgetthe balance between Earths incoming and outgoing energyby making the first comprehensive global measurements of the energy balance in Earths upper atmosphere. SABER will measure infrared radiation or heat emitted by the atmosphere over a broad altitude and spectral range in this region. It will also accurately determine how strongly the upper atmosphere is heated by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. SABERs observations will lay the foundation for a new area of science in radiation budget studies. Its measurements in an altitude range where the energy and chemistry are unique from other atmospheric regions are the first of their kind. As compared to lower atmospheric regions, there are fewer molecules in the MLTI, affecting how the atmos-phere radiates and absorbs heat. New research in the area will influence how scientists understand the warming and cooling of the Earth in the MLTI region. Key Gases in the Upper AtmosphereOzone, water vapor and carbon dioxide are important gases that warm and cool the MLTI region through absorption of solar radiation and emission of infrared radiation (heat energy). SABER will measure the vertical distribution of these gases by directly observing the infrared energy they emit. These observations will significantly enhance our knowledge of how these gases influence the temperature and chemistry of the upper atmospherean area where these processes are least understood due to the previous lack of measurements. SABER, for example, will make the first-ever measurements of the global distribution of carbon dioxide concentrations in the MLTI region. It will also measure the infrared energy emitted by nitric oxide, a chemically active gas that strongly influences the natural cooling of the upper atmosphere. SABER will also provide the first measurements of ozone during the day and at night in the MLTI region. Atmospheric Structure and DynamicsSABERs comprehensive global measurements of the flow of energy in Earths upper atmosphere will also greatly increase what scientists know about the structure and the motion of air (dynamics) of the atmosphere. SABERs observations will provide new information about how temperature, density and pressure change with altitude. They will also track the movement of air between the poles, from lower to upper atmospheric regions, from season to season and around the globe. During the mission, SABER will produce a global picture of how the MLTI region changes over time.
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