Simultaneous nightglow and Na lidar observations at Arecibo during the AIDA-89 campaign

J. H. Hecht, T. J. Kane, R. L. Walterscheid, C. S. Gardner, C. A. Teplky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Simultaneous nightglow and Na lidar observations made at Arecibo during the AIDA-89 campaign are reported from between 0000 and 0530 LT (Local Time) on 6 April 1989 and on 9 April 1989. On 9 April the observations are consistent with the presence of a large amplitude 8.5 km vertical wavelength, 4 h period wave propagating through the 85-91 km region. A lower amplitude 80 min period wave is also observed. The results imply that the O2 atmospheric band intensity peaked near 91 km while the OH Meinel (6,2) band intensity peaked near 85 km. The OH Meinel temperature and intensity are 160° out of phase which can be explained by low eddy diffusion and high ozone densities near the mesopause. The integrated Na abundance from 87 to 89 (90-92) km correlates well with the OH Meinel (O2 atmospheric) band intensity. On 5-6 April the OH Meinel and O2 atmospheric band intensities are not well correlated. The OH Meinel intensity is correlated with the integrated Na abundance from 86 to 88 km. Both the Na and OH measurements reveal the presence of an approximately 1 h period wave. The OH temperature data appear to be consistent with the OH Meinel band originating near 85 km. The O2 atmospheric band data show the presence of a 2 h period wave. The integrated Na abundance data suggest that the O2 atmospheric band peaks between 90 and 94 km. A large sporadic Na event which occurs near 6 UT appears related to the presence of a gravity wave near 95 km. In all of the observed waves there is good agreement between the wave parameters derived separately by the optical airglow and Na lidar techniques.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)409-423
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics
Volume55
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Geophysics
  • General Engineering
  • Atmospheric Science
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Simultaneous nightglow and Na lidar observations at Arecibo during the AIDA-89 campaign'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this