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Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere

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Template:Infobox Spacecraft Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) is a NASA-funded satellite being used to conduct a 26-month study of noctilucent clouds (NLCs). On April 25, 2007 AIM was boosted into a 600 kilometers (370 mi) high polar orbit by a Pegasus-XL rocket, which was air-launched from a Lockheed L-1011 aircraft.[1]

The noctilucent clouds AIM is being used to study, also known as polar mesospheric clouds, occur in the Earth's atmosphere at altitudes of roughly 80 kilometers (50 mi) above the surface, far higher than other clouds. The AIM satellite will help determine what factors — temperature, water vapor, and dust particles — lead to the formation of these clouds. The clouds seem to be a relatively recent phenomenon: they were first seen in 1885, and lately seem to be occurring more frequently.[2]

Spacecraft and instruments

Noctilucent clouds as seen by AIM

AIM is 55 inches (1,400 mm) tall, 43 inches (1,100 mm) wide, weighs 430 pounds (200 kg), and it powered by Solar arrays. The satellite carries three instruments:[3] Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS), Cosmic Dust Experiment (CDE)[4], , and Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE).[5] CIPS has four cameras positioned at different angles, which provide multiple views of the clouds from different angles and will allow a determination of the sizes of the ice particles that make up the cloud.

The Cosmic Dust Experiment records impacts from cosmic dust particles as they enter Earth's upper atmosphere. The instrument uses fourteen polyvinylidene fluoride detectors, which emit a pulse of charge when impacted by a hypervelocity dust particle (velocity > 1 km/s (0.62 mi/s)). A measurement of the value and variability of the cosmic dust input will allow scientists to determine the role the particles have in PMC formation. CDE is a nearly identical replica to the Student Dust Counter on the New Horizons mission.[4]

The Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment uses solar occultation to measure cloud particles, temperature and atmospheric gases involved in forming the clouds. The instrument will reveal the mixture of chemicals that prompt NLC's formation, as well as the environment in which the clouds form.[5]

References

  1. ^ "AIM Mission - Launch". NASA.
  2. ^ "Aiming High in the Sky". NASA.
  3. ^ AIM – SOFIE
  4. ^ a b CDE
  5. ^ a b SOFIE
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