NASA's AIM Mission: Studying PMCs and Global Warming

NASA has recently launched the AIM satellite to explore the outer reaches of our atmosphere where noctilucent, or "night-shining," clouds form. Scientists currently know very little about these clouds, and a recent increase in their formation has prompted NASA to study them further.

Understanding the AIM Satellite

AIM stands for the "Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere." This amazing satellite mission will study the life cycle of clouds that exist so far into the reaches of space they are only visible to us at night. AIM's objective will also include studies of "night-shining" clouds found in the far reaches of the atmosphere, some 50 miles above the Earth and just beyond the stratosphere. 
 
The AIM mission, expected to last two or more years, began on April 25, 2007 when the AIM satellite was launched into space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Night-Shining Clouds

Technical speaking, night-shining clouds are alternately referred to as Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) or noctilucent clouds. These masses form over the North and South Poles during the summer months and are believed to be made up mostly of ice crystals.
 
While NASA knows very little about PMCs, they are hardly a new phenomena. In fact, an amateur astronomer first detected the existence of noctilucent clouds in 1885. However, the AIM mission marks the first time these clouds have ever been studied in depth.
 
The Objectives of the AIM Mission
By measuring and analyzing the particles that form these unusual clouds, the AIM mission plans to answer these key questions:
  • What causes noctilucent clouds to form?
  • Why are noctilucent clouds increasing in occurrence?
  • Why are these clouds becoming brighter?
  • Why are these clouds now appearing at lower latitudes?

The Importance of the AIM Mission

NASA's AIM mission is so important because it will:
  1. teach us more about PMCs: No satellite has ever before studied the entire life cycleof this cloud system. Once we understand the normal life span for "night-shining" clouds, we will be better able to detect any conditions that could threaten the healthy formation of these clouds.

  2. teach us more about the effects of global warming: The number of noctilucent clouds is increasing,but we don't know why. Many scientists wonder if we can chalk up these changes to one more effect of global warming. By studying these clouds, we will have a better understanding of how life on Earth impacts the far-reaching atmosphere.
The more we explore our fascinating universe, the better we will understand our role in keeping Earth and our galaxy safe. With the launch of the AIM satellite, NASA scientists are just one step closer to solving the riddle of "night-shining" clouds.
 
Resources
 
Hampton University (2007). The Mission. Retrieved February 6, 2008, from the Hampton University Web site.
 
NASA News Release (2007). NASA's AIM Mission Soars to the Edge of Space. Retrieved February 6, 2008, from the NASA Web site.
 
NASA News Release (2007). NASA Aims to Clear Up Mystery of Elusive Clouds at Edge of Space. Retrieved February 6, 2008, from the NASA Web site.
 
NASA Feature (2007). NASA Satellite Captures First View of Night Shining Clouds. Retrieved February 6, 2008, from the NASA Web site.
 
NASA Press Event (2007). AIM Multimedia for the 2007 AGU Press Event. Retrieved February 6, 2008, from the NASA Web site.