Observations of wave-driven fluctuations of OH nightglow emission from Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA092iA06p06091· OSTI ID:5962494

Hecht, J H; Walterscheid, R L; Sivjee, G G; Christensen, A B; Pranke, J B ^[1]

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1. Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA (United States)

OH nightglow emission from the (6,2) band were observed during February 12-14, 1986, at Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland. The data were analyzed using time series analysis techniques to determine {eta} = ({Delta}I/{anti I})/({Delta}T/{anti T}), where {Delta}I and {Delta}T represent correlated fluctuations from the mean OH intensity ({anti I}) and temperature ({anti T}) in various frequency bands. For correlated fluctuations due to measurement error, {vert bar}{eta}{vert bar} < 1, while for correlated fluctuationscaused by atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) that pass through the OH emission layer the measured {vert bar}{eta}{vert bar} should be generally greater than 1.5. While some of the observed OH intensity-temperature fluctuations were correlated and had an {vert bar}{eta}{vert bar} < 1, two correlated intensity-temperature waves with periods of 4 and 2 hours were seen with an {vert bar}{eta}{vert bar} > 1.5. The 4-hour (2-hour) period wave has an {vert bar}{eta}{vert bar} equal to 3.1 {plus minus} 1.1 (1.6 {plus minus} 0.5) and a phase angle, between the intensity and temperature components, of 5{degree} {plus minus} 23{degree} (40{degree} {plus minus} 20{degree}). These results are consistent with a recent theoretical model for the passage of AGWs through an OH emission layer. Agreement is closest for the 4-hour (2-hour) period wave when the layer is peaked at 87 km (83 km) and the O scale height is {minus}2.0 ({minus}4.0km).

• OSTI ID: 5962494
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 92:A6; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
&amp; Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AIRGLOW
AURORAE
CORRELATIONS
DYNAMICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EMISSION SPECTRA
FLUCTUATIONS
GRAVITY WAVES
HYDROXYL RADICALS
MATHEMATICS
MECHANICS
MESOSPHERE
RADICALS
SPECTRA
TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS
VARIATIONS