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AIM
MISSION OBJECTIVES
The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM)
The AIM satellite mission
will explore Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs), also called noctilucent
clouds
(NLCs), to find out why they form and why
they are changing. Scientists do not understand why this is happening,
and would like to find out. Results from this mission will provide the
basis for study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate. In
particular, they wish to determine if these changes are caused by natural
variations in the Earth’s atmosphere, or if they are influenced by
human activities.
NASA will launch the AIM satellite to orbit the Earth
for at least two years. The overall goal of the Aeronomy of Ice in the
Mesosphere (AIM)
experiment is to resolve why Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) form and why
they vary. By measuring PMCs and the thermal, chemical and dynamical environment
in which they form, we will quantify the connection between these clouds
and the meteorology of the polar mesosphere. In the end, this will provide
the basis for study of longterm variability in the mesospheric climate
and its relationship to global change.
The results of AIM will be a rigorous
validation of predictive models that can reliably use past PMC changes
and present trends as indicators of global
change. This goal will be achieved by measuring PMC abundances, spatial
distribution, particle size distributions, gravity wave activity, cosmic
dust influx to the atmosphere and precise, vertical profile measurements
of temperature, H2O, OH, CH4, O3, CO2,
NO, and aerosols. These data can be obtained only by a complement of instruments
on an orbiting
spacecraft
because of the need for global coverage and because extinction and foreground
emissions compromise optical sensing from the ground.
Disciplines Encompassed
An effective strategy for delivering this activity
could include allotting several class periods to represent various disciplines.
Teachers in each
of the following disciplines will readily find relevant ties between the
content of the activity and course objectives:
- Earth System Science
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Meteorology/Climate
- Social Studies
- Technology
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