Observation of the atmospheric sodium layer with a magneto-optical filter (MOF)

Abstract

The Mesosphere is interested by important chemical and dynamical phenomena, so observation of its Sodium layer's behavior has became a common target of several research plans all over the world. In order to study its dynamical and chemical variation during daytime (so the solar flux, which is not localized, stimulates the Sodium emission) we want to observe from the space continuously the Sodium emission (and perform differential analysis looking for periodic changes), using a small telescope with a Magneto-Optical Filter and a image sensor.

7 pages, 8 figure, published on the CD of the proceedings of the 55th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Vancouver, Canada, 4-8 October 2004