Self-consistent t(p) and CO2 data for day time have been now obtained for the entire period of saber observations. The night time CO2 and t(p) derived in the self-consistent way for same period of…

The Catholic University of America (CUA) was awarded a $149,988 grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to conduct research on self-consistent temperature and carbon dioxide data derived from observations made by the SABER instrument. This research aims to improve the understanding of nighttime atmospheric conditions in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, which is relevant to NASA's space science and exploration programs. The award does not have a set-aside designation. CUA has previously received prime and subcontract awards from NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies to support a range of research activities in fields like solar physics, particle physics, and cardiovascular disease. CUA also holds a multi-year blanket purchase agreement with the Department of the Navy to provide ocean acoustics services and educational courses.

Self-consistent t(p) and CO2 data for day time have been now obtained for the entire period of saber observations. The night time CO2 and t(p) derived in the self-consistent way for same period of observations are, however, still unavailable. Although the night time temperatures are routinely retrieved from the saber 15 UM radiances they are based on the waccm model CO2 data. Additionally, these t retrievals utilize the 03P densities derived from the 03 nighttime emissions, which are considered to be too high compared to other independent observations. Additionally, the CO2 densities, which were supposed to be retrieved from the 4.3 UM emissions, were so far not obtained due to a lack of understanding of the 4.3 UM nighttime emissions formation mechanisms. Previous studies resulted in (a) significantly revised coupled non-LTE model of the CO2 4.3 UM and OH 1.6 and 2.0 UM emissions and in (b) new lower 03P densities obtained from the OH 1.6 and 2.0 UM emissions. Both these results provide preconditioning for obtaining new CO2/t(p) distributions in nighttime MLT. Additionally, for the first time, the total OH densities in MLT may be derived. These self-consistent data sets will enable studying tidal effects and diurnal and long-term variability of various atmospheric variables.