Disk images of neutral temperature from the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission

Observations of far-ultraviolet (FUV) dayglow by the Global-scale Observations of Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission provide an opportunity for quantifying the global-scale response of the thermosphere to solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) variability and geomagnetic activity. Relative temperature changes can be measured by monitoring changes in the rotational structure observed in molecular nitrogen Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) band emissions. We present a new technique for deriving neutral temperatures from GOLD FUV observations using optimal estimation fits to spectra containing LBH band emissions. We provide an overview of the theoretical basis for the GOLD Level 2 neutral temperature algorithm. Effects on derived neutral temperatures from instrument artifacts and particle background are reviewed. We also discuss GOLD Level 1C DAY and Level 2 TDISK data products and present representative examples of each. We show that neutral temperatures vary with local time, exhibit a strong seasonal dependence, and correlate strongly with geomagnetic and solar activity. Finally, we present results from a preliminary data product validation that show good agreement with coincident GOLD exospheric temperatures and predictions from a global reference atmospheric model.