MESOSPHERIC OBSERVATIONS BY HIGH-RESOLUTION FABRY-PEROT SPECTROMETERS- CALIBRATIONS REQUIRED FOR CLIMATE-CHANGE STUDIES

High-resolution Fabry-Perot spectrometer observations of mesospheric a irglow emissions are reviewed. Difficulties in determining the Fabry-P erot instrument profile at the wavelength of observation are discussed and the uncertainties which these introduce into mesospheric temperat ure measurements are estimated. Improving calibration techniques will enable better determination of mesospheric temperatures and hence long -term studies of climate change. Temperature variations of 10-15K are expected in the mesosphere over a number of years. Mesospheric wind me asurements are also discussed. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd .