The NASA Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) is a mission dedicated to the study of polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs), also known as noctilucent clouds. Launched in 2007, AIM is focused on understanding the formation, properties, and impacts of these rare and enigmatic high-altitude clouds that form near the Earth's polar regions.
AIM is equipped with instruments that measure and analyze PMCs and the surrounding atmospheric conditions. The mission's primary goals include studying the microphysical properties of PMCs, their relationships with water vapour and meteoric dust, and their variability in response to changes in the Earth's climate.
The research conducted by AIM provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the Earth's upper atmosphere and its response to climate change. It also contributes to our understanding of how PMCs can serve as indicators of environmental changes in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere regions.
