Hydroxyl airglow observations for investigating atmospheric dynamics: results and challenges
<p>Measurements of hydroxyl (<span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span>) airglow intensity are a straightforward and cost-efficient method which allows the derivation of information about the climate and dynamics of the upper mesosphere/lower thermosph...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/23/1599/2023/acp-23-1599-2023.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>Measurements of hydroxyl (<span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span>) airglow intensity are a
straightforward and cost-efficient method which allows the derivation of information about the climate and dynamics of the upper mesosphere/lower
thermosphere (UMLT) on different spatiotemporal scales during darkness.</p>
<p>Today, instrument components can be bought “off-the-shelf” and
developments in detector technology allows operation without cooling, or at
least without liquid nitrogen cooling, which is difficult to automate. This
makes instruments compact and suitable for automated operation.</p>
<p>Here, we briefly summarize why an <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow layer exists, how atmospheric dynamics influence it and how temperature can be derived from <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow measurements.</p>
<p>Then, we provide an overview of the scientific results regarding atmospheric dynamics (mainly gravity waves (GWs) but also planetary waves (PWs) and infrasound) achieved with <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow measurements. We focus on long-term ground-based <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow measurements or airglow measurements using a network of ground-based instruments. The paper includes further results from global or near-global satellite-based <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow measurements, which are
of special importance for characterizing the <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow layer. Additionally, the results from the very few available airborne case studies using <span class="inline-formula">OH<sup>*</sup></span> airglow instruments are summarized.</p>
<p>Scientific and technical challenges for the next few years are described.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |