Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) - New Observing Capabilities for Space Weather Specification and Forecasting
Abstract
The Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission of opportunity will fly an ultraviolet imaging spectrograph on a geostationary satellite to measure neutral densities and temperatures in the thermosphere and ionosphere. GOLD will provide the first global-scale observations of temperatures in the lower thermosphere, in addition to more familiar measurements such as aurora location and energy input; peak electron densities in the nighttime ionosphere; and atomic oxygen to molecular nitrogen (O/N2) ratios. GOLD can provide nearly continuous real-time observations of one hemisphere. In addition to measurements on the disk of the Earth, GOLD will also provide measurements of molecular oxygen densities and the temperature profile in the lower thermosphere on the limb of the Earth from stellar occultations. Combined with the advanced models now available, measurements from GOLD will revolutionize our understanding of the global-scale response of the thermosphere and ionosphere to geomagnetic and solar forcing. GOLD is being proposed as a mission of opportunity in response to the Small Explorer (SMEX) and Missions of Opportunity from NASA's Science Mission Directorate, and it would leverage the scheduled solar (Solar Dynamics Observatory) and radiation belt (Radiation Belt Storm Probes) measurements. The data and knowledge gained from GOLD will enhance space weather specification and forecasting capabilities.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AGUFMSA13A1085E
- Keywords:
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- 2435 Ionospheric disturbances;
- 2437 Ionospheric dynamics;
- 3369 Thermospheric dynamics (0358);
- 7949 Ionospheric storms (2441)