Vol. 20, issue 12, article # 4
pdf Mikhalev A. V., Ratovsky K. G., Medvedev A. V., Chernigovskaya M. A., Medvedeva I. V. Simultaneous observations of intensification of the 557.7 nm airglow in the upper atmosphere and occurrence of sporadic layers during temperature disturbances in the strato-mesosphere. // Atmospheric and oceanic optics. 2007. V. 20. No. 12. P. 978-982.Copy the reference to clipboard
Abstract:
The event of simultaneous intensification of the 557.7 nm airglow and occurrence of the sporadic Es layer in middle latitudes during temperature disturbances at heights of the stratosphere and mesosphere in December 2006 is analyzed. Ionospheric data were obtained with a DPS-4 ionosonde located directly in Irkutsk (52.5°N, 104.3°E). Airglow measurements were conducted with a 4-channel zenith photometer and an all-sky CCD imager at the ISTP Geophysical Observatory located 130 km southwest of Irkutsk. In addition, we analyze the vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature measured by a Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) aboard the EOS Aura spacecraft. In some cases, correlated diurnal variations of the 557.7 nm airglow intensity and the Es characteristics were observed. The fact that this correlation was observed not always can be explained by different spatial localization of the Es layer and the emitting layer, as well as by some features of their dynamics. During the maximal intensification of the 557.7 nm airglow, its pronounced spatial inhomogeneity was observed by the CCD imager in continuum. The possible contribution of the mechanism of O(1S) level excitation due to collisions with electrons of the sporadic Es layer to intensification of the 557.7 nm airglow during stratospheric warming periods is discussed.