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Atomic oxygen between 80 and 120 km - Evidence for a latitudinal variation in vertical transport near the mesopauseAnalysis of the OGO 6 OI green line nightglow photometer experiment has been carried out for eight cases when the alignment of the spacecraft was such that local emission rates could be determined below the altitude of maximum emission and down to about 80 km. The results obtained show that the vertical gradient of the emission rate between 95 and 80 km alternates between regions of very rapid variation and very slow variation spaced on a scale of 5-10 deg of latitude. Maps showing isoemissivity contours and isodensity contours for atomic oxygen concentration in vertical meridional planes are presented. The densities are computed under three assumptions concerning excitation mechanisms. Comparisons of the vertical variations of oxygen density with the results of a time dependent theory suggest the regions of strong downward transport alternate in latitude with regions of weak transport near 90 km. In the first case, conversion of O to O3 at night appears to be overwhelmed by downward transport of O.
Document ID
19790049493
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wasser, B.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Donahue, T. M.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, Mich., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 84
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
79A33506
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-72-79
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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