MATS satellite mission - observing gravity waves in the MLT region with tomographic limb imaging

MATS (Mesospheric airglow/Aerosol Tomography and Spectroscopy) is as Swedish satellite launched in November 2022. It observes O2 A-band airglow in near-infrared and UV light scattered from noctilucent clouds (NLCs) in limb imaging geometry and provides global 3-D temperature and NLC data products. These data sets can be used to characterise individual gravity waves (GWs) by determining their amplitudes, wavelengths and propagation directions (i.e. determining the 3-D wave vector for each wave). This enables determination of GW momentum fluxes in the MLT region, as well as detailed studies on GW spectra, propagation and interactions with the mean flow. MATS data, in combination with some GW modelling, can also be used to study GW sources and dissipation. This presentation will provide an overview of the MATS mission and the 3-D data products with the focus on GW observations. We will include examples of data along with some initial GW analysis, instrument sensitivity estimates and data quality evaluation.