Acta Optica Sinica, Volume. 41, Issue 12, 1201001(2021)

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of O2 A-Band Night Airglow in Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

Weijia Wang1,2,3, Haiyan Luo1,2,3, Zhiwei Li1,3, Wei Xiong1,2,3、*, and Jinji Ma3,4、**
Author Affiliations
  • 1Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
  • 2University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
  • 3Key Laboratory of Optical Calibration and Characterization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
  • 4School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241003, China
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    Airglow is an important photochemical phenomenon in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region (MLT region), and O2 A-band (762 nm) airglow is one of the best observation targets for temperature detection in the MLT region. The radiance data of O2 A-band night airglow observed by the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS) in 2008 were used to study the global spatial and temporal distribution of the night airglow. For the altitude-quarter distribution of night airglow radiance in different latitudes, the results indicated that the highest radiance of O2 A-band night airglow existed near the altitude of 95 km. In contrast, the seasonal variations of O2 A-band night airglow in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere were opposite. To be specific, the highest radiance appeared in the second and third quarters in the Northern Hemisphere but in the first and fourth quarters in the Southern Hemisphere. The latitude-longitude distribution of night airglow radiance in different quarters shows that the longitudinal distribution of O2 A-band night airglow is relatively uniform, while the latitudinal distribution fluctuates widely. The latitude region of the highest radiance varies in different quarters. The above results are consistent with those in the relevant literature, which prove the correctness of our results. Furthermore, the analysis of the seasonal variation law of airglow and its influencing factors reveals that the distribution of night airglow has an annual reciprocating trend. The spatial and temporal distributions of O2 A-band night airglow are of great significance for further research on instrument design.

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    Weijia Wang, Haiyan Luo, Zhiwei Li, Wei Xiong, Jinji Ma. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of O2 A-Band Night Airglow in Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere[J]. Acta Optica Sinica, 2021, 41(12): 1201001

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    Paper Information

    Category: Atmospheric Optics and Oceanic Optics

    Received: Dec. 16, 2020

    Accepted: Feb. 1, 2021

    Published Online: Jun. 2, 2021

    The Author Email: Xiong Wei (frank@aiofm.ac.cn), Ma Jinji (jinjima@ahnu.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.3788/AOS202141.1201001

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