MAS Measurements of the Latitudinal Distribution of Water Vapor and Ozone in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

BEVILACQUA, R.M.; KRIEBEL, D.; PAULS, T.; OLIVERO, J.; PULIAFITO, E.

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS

American Geophysical Union

Lugar: Washingtn D.C.; Año: 1996 vol. 23 p. 2317 - 2320

0094-8276

We present measurements of the latitudinal variation of nighttime O3 and H2O in the mesosphere and (for O3) lower thermosphere obtained with Millimeter wave Atmospheric Sounder (MAS) instrument during ATLAS 2 mission (8-15 April 1993). These are the first such measurements that have ever been reported. They indicate an O3 mixing ratio minimum at mid-latitudes in the upper mesosphere, with maxima in the tropics and at high latitudes. The H2O retrievals indicate H2O mixing ratios decreasing towards the poles in both hemispheres in the upper mesosphere. We also present measurements of the diurnal variation of O3 at southern mid-latitudes, at higher vertical resolution than have ever been reported previously. The results are generally consistent with previous measurements and modeling studies.