Using TIMED to Characterize the Ozone and Thermal Structure in the Middle Atmosphere

The TIMED (Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) satellite launched in late 2001 includes measurements of temperature and ozone from the tropopause to the lower thermosphere as well as other data specifically for the mesosphere (horizontal winds, OH airglow, EUV radiative fluxes). Atomic oxygen, which is approximately in chemical equilibrium with ozone at all altitudes, can be determined reliably in the upper mesosphere. This presentation will apply the TIMED data to look at the odd oxygen family (ozone and atomic oxygen) and the thermal structure throughout the depth of the middle atmosphere. Experiments with a 3-dimensional dynamical chemical model will explore the processes that contribute to the structure and variability.