Middle Atmosphere Dynamics by Sub-Millimeter Radiometry

该提案要求为使用南极亚毫米望远镜/远程天文台(AST/RO)获取的中间大气数据的分析和分发提供资金，这是一个单独资助的国家科学基金会OPP项目。AST/RO是一个直径1.7米、偏置的格里高利望远镜，位于阿蒙森-斯科特南极站，能够在200微米至1.3毫米的波长进行观测。中间层位于密度较高的平流层和稀薄的热层之间，距离地球表面60多公里。中间层位于太阳粒子储存大量能量的区域的底部，同时也处于行星级大气重力波和潮汐的顶端。在这一关键位置，中间层在我们星球的整体大气平衡中发挥着重要作用。该项目的目标如下：(1)全年测量极地中间层的风速；(2)测量极地中间层和热层下层的一氧化碳混合比率和密度；(3)将数据与其他项目结合起来，以更完整地了解极地大气动力学；(4)建立一个自动数据管道，使本科生能够在观测后24小时内将结果上传至网上；(5)为本科生提供参与活跃和通俗易懂的科学研究的机会；(7)利用近实时数据开展网上活动，向公众解释极地大气的属性。虽然有可能在南极洲建造一台小型仪器来测量本提案中讨论的中间层的性质，但通过利用南极洲已有的资源可以节省大量费用。虽然AST/RO主要侧重于观测天体物理现象，但该仪器也非常适合于观测地球大气层。正如一氧化碳(CO)目前被用作天体物理过程的示踪剂一样，一氧化碳也可以用作高层大气输送过程的示踪剂。通过测量CO自转转变的排放，AST/RO数据可以用来确定地球表面以上40~130公里区域大气的中层风速和CO混合廓线。然后，这些数据可用于研究极地中间层的动力学，特别是与南极洲和太空中其他研究项目的数据相结合时。

This proposal requests funding for the analysis and distribution of middle atmospheric data taken using the Antarctic Sub-millimeter Telescope / Remote Observatory (AST/RO), a separately funded NSF OPP project. AST/RO is a 1.7 m diameter, offset Gregorian telescope located at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station capable of observing at wavelengths between 200 microns and 1.3 mm. The mesosphere lies at the boundary between the denser stratosphere and the tenuous thermosphere, over 60 km above the Earth's surface. The mesosphere lies at the bottom of the region in which the particles from the Sun deposit much of their energy, while also being at the top end of planetary-scale atmospheric gravity waves and tides. In this key position, the mesosphere plays an important part in our planet's overall atmospheric balance. The project's objectives are the following: (1) measure wind velocities in the polar mesosphere year-round, (2) measure carbon monoxide mixing ratios and density in the polar mesosphere and lower thermosphere, (3) combine data with other projects to develop a more complete understanding of polar atmospheric dynamics, (4) create an automatic data pipeline to allow results to be placed on the web within 24 hours of observations, (5) provide an opportunity for involvement by undergraduates in active and approachable science research, and (7) develop Web based activities using near real time data to explain to the general public the properties of the polar atmosphere. While it might be possible to construct a small instrument in Antarctica to measure the properties of the mesosphere discussed in this proposal, significant cost savings are possible by taking advantage of resources already available on the continent. While AST/RO has primarily focused on observations of astrophysical phenomena, the instrumentation is also well suited to making observations of the Earth's atmosphere. In much the same way that carbon monoxide (CO) is currently used as a tracer for astrophysical processes, CO can also be used as a tracer for transport processes in the upper atmosphere. By measuring the emission from rotational transitions of CO, the AST/RO data can be used to determine the mesospheric wind velocity and CO mixing profile of the atmosphere in the region 40 km to 130 km above the Earth's surface. This data can then be used to study the dynamics of the polar mesosphere, especially when combined with data from other research projects in Antarctica and in space.