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The SOFIE measurements of particle extinctions and size distributions
are of particular importance in the study of Polar Mesospheric
Clouds (PMCs) which are harbingers of global warming and climate
change. In addition, the instrument has enough sensitivity
to measure the cosmic smoke layer in the mesosphere where
meteoroids are vaporized upon atmospheric entry.
One other unique aspect of the SOFIE mission is that the
SOFIE sun sensor uses a focal plane array image sensor
to track the sun. The array provides an accurate measurement
of the vertical extent of the solar image as it squashes due
to refraction in the lower atmosphere. This highly accurate
determination of the solar image provides the data needed
to perform temperature retrievals using refraction angles;
these retrieved temperature profiles have a high degree
of accuracy and vertical resolution.
Links:
SOFIE
Home Page
AIM Mission
at Hampton University
AIM
Mission at NASA - NASA
AIM Press Kit
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