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A comparison of measurements of the oxygen nightglow and atomic oxygen in the lower thermosphereThe relationship between the oxygen nightglow and the atomic oxygen density in the lower thermosphere was investigated. This was done using data from two sounding rocket experiments conducted over White Sands Missile Range (32-deg N, 106-deg W). The first flight was launched on November 2, 1978 while the second was launched on December 7, 1981. Both flights contained resonance lamps to measure the atomic oxygen density. The peak density in both cases was near 1.9 x 10 to the 11th/cu cm. In addition, the 1978 flight contained a photometer to measure the 5577 A green line, while the 1981 flight contained photometers to measure the green line, the UV nightglow, and the 7620 A (0,0) atmospheric band. Empirical models of these airglow features were used to compare with the O density measurements. In the case of the atmospheric band, excellent agreement is seen concerning the shape of the atomic oxygen profile, while some discrepancies were seen with the Herzberg band and the green line. In all cases, the absolute value of our peak O density appeared to be about 2.5 times lower, for a given airglow intensity, than previous measurements.
Document ID
19910047037
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Siskind, David E.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Sharp, William E.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 39
ISSN: 0032-0633
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A31660
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-23-005-360
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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