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Retrieval of absolute thermospheric concentrations from the far UV dayglow: An application of discrete inverse theory

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93JA02775· OSTI ID:121273
;  [1]
  1. Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (United States)
The photoelectron-excited far ultraviolet dayglow provides a means for remote sensing a N{sub 2}, O, O{sub 2}, and temperature in the terrestrial thermosphere. This paper describes a model based on the maximum likelihood method of nonlinear discrete inverse theory, which extracts information on the state of the thermosphere from limb scans of the dayglow. The authors show that concentrations between about 150 and (at least) 350 km can be retrieved to a high degree of accuracy and precision, independent of instrument absolute calibration. Also, the retrieved concentrations are not strongly sensitive to errors in the photoelectron excitation cross sections. The model will allow the routine development of climatological databases on the thermosphere from satellite remote sensing missions. 35 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.
OSTI ID:
121273
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: A4 Vol. 99; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English