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Dayglow emissions of the O2 Herzberg bands and the Rayleigh backscattered spectrum of the earthIt is pointed out that numerous fluorescent emissions from the Herzberg bands of molecular oxygen lie in the spectral region 242-300 nm. This coincides with the wavelength range used by orbiting spectrometers that observe the Rayleigh backscattered spectrum of the earth for the purpose of monitoring the vertical distribution of stratospheric ozone. Model calculations suggest that Herzberg band emissions in the dayglow could provide significant contamination of the ozone measurements if the quenching rate of O2(A3Sigma) is sufficiently small. It is noted that this is especially true near 255 nm, where the most intense fluorescent emissions relative to the Rayleigh scattered signal are located and where past satellite measurements have shown a persistent excess radiance above that expected for a pure ozone absorbing and molecular scattering atmosphere. Very small quenching rates, however, are adequate to reduce the dayglow emission to negligible levels. Noting that available laboratory data have not definitely established the quenching on the rate of O2(A3Sigma) as a function of vibration level, it is emphasized that such information is required before the Herzberg band contributions can be evaluated with confidence.
Document ID
19820053377
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Frederick, J. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Abrams, R. B.
(Computer Sciences Corp. Silver Spring, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1982
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 30
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
82A36912
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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