Gold Level L2 thermospheric TDISK

TDISK is derived for each valid dayside Level 1C pixel for approximately 68 disk scan measurements performed per day by GOLD in nominal operation. Algorithm heritage The retrieval algorithm is an extension of those previously used to derive temperature from limb measurements of LBH intensity from the HITS instrument (Aksnes et al., [2006]; Krywonos et al. [2012]).

Algorithm theoretical basis GOLD measurements have a higher signal-to-noise ratio than HITS and a spectral range that includes more of the total N2 LBH emission (132 - 162 nm). Effective neutral temperatures near ~150 km altitude are retrieved by fitting the observed rotational structure of the N2 LBH bands using an optimal estimation routine. Retrieved parameters also include the upper vibrational level (v'=0-6) relative intensities (i.e. populations), a constant background, wavelength shift, and wavelength dispersion (constant term).