Polar Mesospheric Cloud Studies

托马斯，GaryATM-9983872该奖项是为了研究极地中间层云（PMC）现象，以及它们与中间层顶区域大气参数的关系，以及极地中间层的全球变化。 有越来越多的证据表明PMC的十年时间尺度变化。 重要的是要了解物理原因，这可能与人类活动有关，包括农业和工业。 这项研究将涉及分析各种卫星和地面观测技术的数据，并利用散射理论将各种测量结果综合在一起，形成一个共同的基础，以便进行相互比较。 将建立一个经验光学模型，它将允许各种观测相互比较。 经验大气模型将提供过去十年卫星数据（沿着火箭数据）的综合。 该模型将描述夏季极地地区的温度和水汽分布，并提供这些变量随时间变化的信息，最长可达11年的太阳周期。 这项研究的潜在影响是提高对高层大气，特别是极地中间层全球变化重要性的理解和认识。 连同全球变暖现象，该项目将促进公众认识到这种非常不同的人类活动对高层大气的影响。

Thomas, GaryATM-9983872This award is for a study of the phenomenon of Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMC), and their relationship to atmospheric parameters in the mesopause region, and to global change in the polar mesosphere. There is growing evidence of decadal time scale changes in PMC. It is important to understand the physical causes, which may be related to activities of mankind, both agricultural and industrial. The study will involve analysis of data from various satellite and ground-based observational techniques, and use of scattering theory to integrate the various measurements onto a common basis for intercomparison. An empirical optical model will be constructed which will permit observations of various kinds to be intercompared. An empirical atmospheric model will provide an integration of satellite data (along with rocketborne data) from the past decade. This model will describe the temperature and water vapor distributions for the summertime polar regions, and also provide information on the time changes of these variables over time scales up to an 11-year solar cycle. The potential impact of this study is to produce an increased understanding and awareness of the importance of global change in the upper atmosphere, and specifically, the polar mesosphere. Together with the global warming phenonmenon, this project will foster public awareness of this very different anthropogenic impact on the upper atmosphere.