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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Science & Objectives

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Primary Science Objective

To determine what changes occur in the ozone distribution in the mesosphere as a result of changes in incoming solar radiation.

Secondary Science Objective

To measure all changes in ozone density distribution in the altitude range 30 to 80 km and determine the causes of these changes.

To accomplish these goals, SME measured the:

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  • Solar flux
  • Ozone
  • Temperature
  • Water vapor
  • Nitrogen dioxide
  • Pressure
  • Near-infrared airglow

Observations by the SME were made at the Earth’s limb with an altitude resolution of about 4 km.

Science conclusions

  • SME data were important for defining aeronomic processes
  • SME data identified solar and auroral variability
  • SME data defined basic structure for global change studies

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