Effects of gravity waves on complex airglow chemistries 1. O2(b1Σ+g) emission

The theory of Hines and Tarasick (1987) for the effects of gravity waves on airglow emissions is extended to consider more complex airglow chemistries, including multiple and multiple-step production mechanisms, quenching, and other loss processes. Relations for the dependence of ∊, the ratio of brightness to temperature fluctuation, on emission chemistry are presented in a generalized form which is readily applicable to other emissions. The specific case of O₂(b¹Σ⁺_g) airglow is examined in detail for three different proposed chemical production mechanisms. Loss mechanisms are also considered; quenching is found to be important to predictions of ∊. The results obtained are compared with the very limited set of published observations of gravity waves in O₂(b¹Σ⁺_g) airglow. It is shown that gravity wave observations may place new constraints on possible mechanisms for airglow production, constraints that are not obtainable by other means.