The Possibility of Observing Noctilucent Clouds in Microwave Radiometric Measurements

Formation of ice particles of noctilucent clouds is discussed. These ice particles are supposed to contain ice 0, the recently discovered ferroelectric modification of ice. At the contact of ice 0 with the surface of a dust particle, there emerges a thin layer having high electric conductivity, which accounts for intensive scattering of electromagnetic radiation in the broad band of frequencies. Another mechanism is suggested for emergence of water in the mesosphere due to reaction of interaction between hydroxyl molecular groups on the surface of a silicate particle and molecules of gaseous hydrogen. It is proposed to make observations over noctilucent clouds by employing the methods of microwave radiometry.