A global study of O2( 1Δ g) airglow: Day and twilight
Abstract
Aircraft measurements of O2( 1Δ g) emission made over a 10-yr period provide information on the variation of ozone with latitude and season in the altitude region 50-90 km. Between 50 and 70 km there appears to be little variation (< ± 25%) whereas the abundance between 80 and 90 km exhibits a large seasonal change north of 30°N and much less at lower latitude. At mid and high latitude the column abundance above ∼ 80 km changes from ⩽ 1 × 10 14 cm -2 in summer to about 3 × 10 14 cm -2 in winter. There are occasional enhancements in both the day and twilight airglow which almost always occur in association with auroral activity or, at least, where such activity is statistically most likely. These enhancements appear to reflect a corresponding increase in the ozone mixing ratio in the upper stratosphere. While the gradient in ozone mixing ratio with latitude is generally small at altitudes between 50 and 90km there are occasions when a temporary latitude structure can be seen, particularly above 80 km.
- Publication:
-
Planetary and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- June 1982
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0032-0633(82)90163-5
- Bibcode:
- 1982P&SS...30..545N
- Keywords:
-
- Airglow;
- Atmospheric Composition;
- Ozone;
- Abundance;
- Annual Variations;
- Atmospheric Density;
- Dayglow;
- Latitude;
- Mesopause;
- Twilight Glow;
- Geophysics