Observations of Atmospheric Density and Temperature between 35 and 70 km by Rayleigh Lidar at São José dos Campos, SP

Abstract

During 1993, a total of 34 nigths of measurements of the Rayleigh backscattered signal was obtained at São José dos Campos, SP, (23o S, 46o W), with a laser radar (lidar). Relative atmospheric density and absolute temperature profiles between 35 and 70 km of height were determined. The performance of the lidar system was evaluated on the basis of the number of laser shots necessary to attain a certain accuracy. Measured temperature profiles show a consistently colder stratosphere and a hotter mesosphere compared with available models.