ISSN:
0992-7689
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The nightglow OH(9,4) and O2 atmospheric (0,1) band emission intensities and their rotational temperatures T(OH) and T(O2), respectively, observed at Cachoeira Paulista (23° S, 45°W), Brazil, during the period from October 1989 to December 1990, have been analyzed to study the nighttime mesospheric energy loss rates through the radiations from the vibrationally excited OH* and electronically excited O*2 bands. The total emission rates of the OH Meinel bands, O2 atmospheric (0,0) and O2 infrared atmospheric (1Δg) bands were calculated using reported data for the relative band intensities $I_{(\nu^{''}, \nu^{'})}/I_{(9,4)}, I_{O_{2}A(0,0)}/I_{O_{2}A(0,1)}$ and $I_{O_2 (^1{\Delta}_g)}/I_{O_{2}A(0,1)}$ . It was found that there is a minimum in equivalent energy loss rate by the OH* Meinel bands during December/January (equivalent energy loss rate of 0.39 K/day*, where day* means averaged over the night) and maximum in equivalent energy loss rate during September (equivalent energy loss rate of 0.98 K/day*). Energy loss rate by the O*2 radiation, on the other hand, is weaker than that by the OH* Meinel bands, showing equivalent energy loss rates of 0.12 K/day* and 0.22 K/day* during January and September, respectively.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00585-997-0797-4
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