An auroral enhancement of O 2λ1.27- μm emission
Abstract
The ground-level zenith radiance of the atmospheric emission at λ1.27 μm was radiometrically observed to increase by a factor of approximately two with the onset of an IBC III + auroral breakup above Chatanika, Alaska, on 10 March 1975. Time-resolved optical spectra clearly show that the slow component of the enhancement is associated with the (0,0) band of the infrared atmospheric system of O 2. Photometric and incoherent scatter radar data are used to define the energy-deposition profile and the absolute energy flux for the event. The magnitude of the O 2λ1.27- μm enhancement compares favourably with the predictions of an auroral excitation model which includes only secondary-electron excitation of molecular oxygen in the O 2( a1Δg) source term.
- Publication:
-
Planetary and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- July 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0032-0633(78)90096-X
- Bibcode:
- 1978P&SS...26..619B
- Keywords:
-
- Auroras;
- Emission Spectra;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Oxygen Spectra;
- Spectral Bands;
- Ion Production Rates;
- Near Infrared Radiation;
- Nightglow;
- Optical Measurement;
- Radar Measurement;
- Geophysics