Mechanisms leading to NLTE IR emission in the terrestrial thermosphere and their impact on remote sensing of atmospheric parameters

Assuming large signal-to-noise ratio and using the rotationally resolved fundamental vibration-rotation band emission from NO near 5.3 m we propose a scheme for remotely sensing temperature above the altitudes where the 15 m emission from CO 2 becomes very weak. We also find that the rotationally resolved 5.3 m emission can be used to remotely sense N( 4 S) atom, O 2 , and O densities in the terrestrial thermosphere – this being the only method for remotely sensing the first two species. Keywords: NO; infrared emission; remote sensing 1. INTRODUCTION The next few years promise to offer great opportunities to the atmospheric scientists. The data gathered by SABER (S ounding of the A tmosphere by B roadband E mission R adiometry) and MIPAS (M ichelson Interferometer for Passive A tmospheric Sounding) aboard the NASA satellite TIMED (Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Energetics and D ynamics) and ESA satellite ENVISAT (Environmental Satellite), respectively, are yielding data which should put the models of atmospheric phenomenology, especially those involving the emission of infrared radiation, on a firmer footing. Furthermore, these data should permit retrieval of additional atmospheric parameters. This retrieval of additional parameters includes extending an already existing retrieval, e.g., retrieval of temperature to higher altitudes, or retrieving parameters for which no methods currently exist, e.g., N(