New nighttime retrievals of O(3P) and OH densities in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere using SABER/TIMED observations
Abstract
We present first retrievals of O(3P) and OH densities in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) using SABER/TIMED OH 2.0 and 1.6 μm limb emission observations. Recently, Kaufmann et al. [2014] reported that current SABER O(3P) densities are on average 30% higher compared to other observations. In this study we applied new detailed non-LTE model [Panka et al. 2017] of nighttime OH(v), which accounts for the new mechanism OH(v≥5)+O(3P)→O(1D)+OH(v-5) of energy transfer recently suggested by Sharma et al. [2015] and confirmed through laboratory studies by Kalogerakis et al. [2016]. Based on this model we developed a new self-consistent two channel retrieval approach for O(3P) and OH density. Using this approach, we retrieved O(3P) densities that are 10-40% lower than current SABER O(3P), as well as total OH density which is retrieved for the first time using SABER observations. We compare our retrieveals with the results of other observations and models. As it was recently shown by Panka et al. [2017], the new mechanism of OH quenching produces a significant pumping of CO2 4.3 µm emission. We discuss the effects these new O(3P) and OH retrievals have on the nighttime CO2 density retrievals from the SABER 4.3 µm channel.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFMSA11A2248P
- Keywords:
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- 3332 Mesospheric dynamics;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 2471 Plasma waves and instabilities;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2494 Instruments and techniques;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2499 General or miscellaneous;
- IONOSPHERE