MESOSPHERIC TEMPERATURES FROM RAYLEIGH-SCATTERING MEASUREMENTS BY THE WINDII INSTRUMENT ON UARS

The WINDII instrument on the UARS satellite has several filter channels. In each of these channels, Rayleigh scattering from the earth's atmosphere is measured in the daytime. The Rayleigh scattering component varies quasi-exponentially with altitude with the scale height of the atmosphere. This data first must be corrected for the relevant baffle scattering component. After several corrections, temperatures from about 75 to 110 km can be measured. The development of the algorithm is discussed and several typical temperature profiles are presented. An analysis of the errors and comparisons with current upper atmosphere models are considered. The presence of noctilucent clouds is indicated in several August profiles in the northern hemisphere.