Accession Number:

AD0780936

Title:

Noctilucent Cloud Observations Coordinated with Rocket Temperature Soundings in Central Alaska.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 15 Jul-30 Nov 73,

Corporate Author:

ALASKA UNIV COLLEGE GEOPHYSICAL INST

Personal Author(s):

• Stringer,William J.

Report Date:

1974-03-20

Pagination or Media Count:

59.0

Abstract:

During the summer of 1973, the Geophysical Institute and the U.S. Army Meteorological Rocket Program cooperated in a small joint study to determine whether any correlation could be found between the appearance of noctilucent clouds and lower mesospheric temperature profiles. Noctilucent cloud observations were performed by the Geophysical Institute while mesospheric temperature profiles were obtained for altitudes below 70 km by parachute-borne thermistors released from standard Dart payloads carried aloft by Super Loki rocket motors. Temperature profiles obtained from grenade temperature soundings were used to extrapolate the lower mesospheric temperature profiles to the mesopause. Successful observations required temperature profiles to be obtained during clear sky conditions. Modified author abstract

Descriptors:

• *Noctilucent clouds
• *Atmospheric temperature
• *Alaska
• Mesosphere
• Sounding rockets
• Profiles
• Sky brightness
• Curve fitting
• Graphics

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE