MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE PROCESSES REVEALED BY SATELLITE-OBSERVATIONS

Detailed satellite observations of the middle atmosphere began nearly a decade ago. Initially, these consisted of radiance measurements, closely related to temperatures in the lower stratosphere. Since then temperature determinations have been extended to above the mesopause, and distributions of ozone have been obtained. These data have provided a wealth of detail on chemical, dynamical, energy balance and transport processes. Not only has the observational base been extended, but information to test photochemical and dynamical theories has been obtained. There is a promise of rapid increase in the quality and quantity of these data in the future, and a consequent increase in their usefulness for detailed studies to improve our theoretical understanding of the middle atmosphere. © 1979.