a Measurement of the OXYGEN(,2) Atmospheric Bands in the Nightglow.

The O(,2)(b('1)(SIGMA)(,g)('+) - X('3)(SIGMA)(,g)(' -)) (0-0) band of the nightglow Atmospheric system has been measured with a rocket borne spectral photometer. The payload, OASIS ADD-VC-56, was launched from White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico (N32.5, W106.5) on 11 June 1983. The rotational structure and intensity of the P branch were observed as a function of altitude. From these measurements the rotational temperature is derived and found to be higher than the temperature predicted by the MSIS 83 (Hedin, 1983) model atmosphere but within measurement error the same as the Deans and Shepherd (1983) values. Volume emission profiles are determined from the measured column emission rates and are found to agree with other Atmospheric band measurements with a peak volume emission rate occurring at 94 (+OR-) 1 km. Parameters involved in the design of the instrument are discussed together with historical developments which are important precursors to the new device. The spectral photometer is a low resolution Fabry-Perot spectrometer which employs a narrow band interference filter as the etalon. The spectrum is spatially scanned with a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) array detector placed in the focal plane of an imaging lens. The imaging capability and good quantum efficiency, in the region of the Atmospheric bands, of CCD detectors make them attractive devices for the current application as well as in other similar instrumentation. The photochemistry involved in the excitation of O(,2)(b('1)(SIGMA)(,g)('+)) is reviewed briefly. Most of the rate constants are available from laboratory measurements, although a few key parameters are still missing. The ambient atmosphere must be known as well as the volume emission profiles of a number of oxygen species if the kinetic scheme responsible for these emissions is to be determined accurately. Hopefully, sufficient information will be available from the OASIS experiment to help resolve some of the outstanding questions.