Spectral wave analysis at the mesopause from SCIAMACHY airglow data compared to SABER temperature spectra

Abstract. Space-time spectral analysis of satellite data is an important method to derive a synoptic picture of the atmosphere from measurements sampled asynoptically by satellite instruments. In addition, it serves as a powerful tool to identify and separate different wave modes in the atmospheric data. In our work we present space-time spectral analyses of chemical heating rates derived from Scanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) hydroxyl nightglow emission measurements onboard Envisat for the years 2002–2006 at mesopause heights.

Since SCIAMACHY nightglow hydroxyl emission measurements are restricted to the ascending (nighttime) part of the satellite orbit, our analysis also includes temperature spectra derived from 15 μm CO₂ emissions measured by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument. SABER offers better temporal and spatial coverage (daytime and night-time values of temperature) and a more regular sampling grid. Therefore SABER spectra also contain information about higher frequency waves.

Comparison of SCIAMACHY and SABER results shows that SCIAMACHY, in spite of its observational restrictions, provides valuable information on most of the wave modes present in the mesopause region. The main differences between wave spectra obtained from these sensors can be attributed to the differences in their sampling patterns.