The experimental aeronomy program is involved in research in the Earth’s atmosphere from the upper stratosphere into the mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere. Research activities include the following:

(1) This program focuses on the interpretation of high-resolution ultraviolet (UV) spectra from the Earth’s upper stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. This started with the Middle Atmosphere High-Resolution Spectrograph Investigation (MAHRSI)  observed OH, NO, and O₃ in these regions of the atmosphere at wavelengths between 212-315 nm on a satellite deployed and retrieved by the shuttle in 1994 and 1997. Most recently we developed SHIMMER, the Spatial Heterodyne Imager for Mesospheric Radicals, which was a miniaturized version of MAHRSI that successfully completed a 30 month mission on an STP satellites. Results included global coverage of OH and Polar Mesospheric Clouds. These are being compared with models.

(2) A new approach to Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy is DASH (Doppler Asymmetric), which can measure winds by the Doppler shift of either airglow or a returned lidar signal. Ground-based data are being taken of the thermosphere and satellite opportunities are being explored.

(3) Planetary spectroscopy is also an area of interest. We have used radiative transfer and electron impact deposition codes to develop a unified theory of EUV and FUV airglow in nitrogen atmospheres such as the Earth, Titan, and Titon. Plans are being made to extend this to Pluto and also to CO₂ atmospheres where nitrogen is a minor constituent, such as Mars.

 

Keywords:

Aeronomy; Atmospheric aerosols; Atmospheric radiation; Atmospheric trace constituents; Interferometry; Ionosphere; Spectroscopy;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants