Polar Mesospheric Cloud properties derived from the Cloud Imaging and Particle Size Experiment on the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere Mission

The Cloud Imaging and Particle Size Experiment (CIPS) is a four-camera nadir pointing imager with a bandpass centered at 265 nm and a field of view of 80 by 120 degrees. CIPS observes Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) against the sunlit Rayleigh scattered background. The observations cover five PMC seasons, three in the North (2007, 2008, and 2009) and two in the South (2007/08 and 2008/09). We present results for average PMC properties, including particle size, ice particle column density, occurrence frequency, and ice water content. Data are presented as a function of day within the season, latitude, and local time. Inter-seasonal and hemispheric differences will be highlighted. These results confirm those of previous satellite studies and add new information relating to number of ice particles and ice water content. The CIPS data also provide information on the diurnal variation (at two local times) of PMC properties throughout the season.