The Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (MTM) was developed at USU to investigate temperature structure in the upper mesosphere (~87 km) and its variability at mid-latitudes. The imager design is similar to our all-sky system but incorporates a higher optical throughput, smaller field of view (~75°), and narrower band, thermally stabilize filters (~1.2 nm FWHM) to image selected emission lines in the NIR OH (6,2) band emission. These data are then processed to determine mean emission intensity and temperature and their variations induced by a wide range of perturbations including gravity waves, tides and planetary scale waves.

The MTM has recently been modified to include measurements of the O2(0,1) band mission (mean height 94 km) to extend its capability for temperature sounding of the MLT region. The imager has a proven record operating alongside two powerful Na lidar systems; at Ft. Collins, CO and at Starfire Optical range, NM. Comparative measurements alongside the UWO Meteor Radar have been made at BLO from October 2000 to April 2001.