Semi-annual variation of excited hydroxyl emission at mid-latitudes

Ground-based observations show a phase shift in semi-annual variation of excited hydroxyl (OH∗) emissions at mid-latitudes (43∘ N) compared to those at low latitudes. This differs from the annual cycle at high latitudes. We examine this behaviour by utilising an OH∗ airglow model which was incorporated into a 3D chemistry–transport model (CTM). Through this modelling, we study the morphology of the excited hydroxyl emission layer at mid-latitudes (30–50∘ N), and we assess the impact of the main drivers of its semi-annual variation: temperature, atomic oxygen, and air density. We found that this shift in the semi-annual cycle is determined mainly by the superposition of annual variations of temperature and atomic oxygen concentration. Hence, the winter peak for emission is determined exclusively by atomic oxygen concentration, whereas the summer peak is the superposition of all impacts, with temperature taking a leading role.

Semi-Annual Variation of Excited Hydroxyl Emission at Mid-Latitudes

Ground-based observations show a phase shift in semi-annual variation of excited hydroxyl (OH*) emissions at mid-latitudes (43° N) compared to those at low latitudes. This differs from the annual cycle at high latitudes. We examine this behaviour utilising an OH* airglow model which was incorporated into the 3D chemistry-transport model (CTM). Through this modelling, we study the morphology of the excited hydroxyl emission layer at mid-latitudes (30° N–50° N), and we assess the impact of the main drivers of its semi-annual variation: temperature, atomic oxygen, and air density. We found that this shift in the semi-annual cycle is determined mainly by the superposition of annual variations of temperature and atomic oxygen concentration. Hence, the winter peak for emission is determined exclusively by atomic oxygen concentration, whereas the summer peak is the superposition of all impacts, with temperature taking a leading role.

Atmospheric band fitting coefficients derived from a self-consistent rocket-borne experiment

Based on self-consistent rocket-borne measurements of temperature, the densities of atomic oxygen and neutral air, and the volume emission of the atmospheric band (762 nm), we examined the one-step and two-step excitation mechanism of O2b1Σg+ for nighttime conditions. Following McDade et al. (1986), we derived the empirical fitting coefficients, which parameterize the atmospheric band emission O2b1Σg+-X3Σg-0,0. This allows us to derive the atomic oxygen concentration from nighttime observations of atmospheric band emission O2b1Σg+-X3Σg-0,0. The derived empirical parameters can also be utilized for atmospheric band modeling. Additionally, we derived the fit function and corresponding coefficients for the combined (one- and two-step) mechanism. The simultaneous common volume measurements of all the parameters involved in the theoretical calculation of the observed O2b1Σg+-X3Σg-0,0 emission, i.e., temperature and density of the background air, atomic oxygen density, and volume emission rate, is the novelty and the advantage of this work.

Atmospheric Band Fitting Coefficients Derived from Self-Consistent Rocket-Borne Experiment

Based on self-consistent rocket-borne measurements of temperature, densities of atomic oxygen and neutral air, and volume emission of the Atmospheric Band (762 nm) we examined the one-step and two-step excitation mechanism of O2(b1Σg+) for night-time conditions. Following McDade et al. (1986), we derived the empirical fitting coefficients, which parameterize the Atmospheric Band emission O2(b1Σg+ − X3Σg−)(0,0) in terms of the atomic oxygen concentrations. This allows to derive atomic oxygen concentration from night-time observations of Atmospheric Band emission O2(b1Σg+ − X3Σg−)(0,0). The derived empirical parameters can also be utilised for Atmospheric Band modelling. Additionally, we derived fit function and corresponding coefficients for combined (one- and two-step) mechanism. Simultaneous and true common volume measurements of all the parameters used in this derivation, i.e. temperature and density of the background air, atomic oxygen density, and volume emission rate, is the novelty and the advantage of this work.

Atomic oxygen retrievals in the MLT region from SCIAMACHY nightglow limb measurements

Vertical distributions of atomic oxygen concentration ([O]) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region were retrieved from sun-synchronous SCIAMACHY/Envisat (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY on board the Environmental Satellite) limb measurements of the oxygen 557.7 nm green line emission in the terrestrial nightglow. A band pass filter was applied to eliminate contributions from other emissions, the impact of measurement noise and auroral activity. Vertical volume emission rate profiles were retrieved from integrated limb-emission rate profiles under the assumption that each atmospheric layer is horizontally homogeneous and absorption and scattering can be neglected. The radiative transfer problem was solved using regularized total least squares minimization in the inversion procedure. Atomic oxygen concentration profiles were retrieved from data collected for altitudes in the range 85–105 km with approximately 4 km vertical resolution during the time period from August 2002 to April 2012 at approximately 22:00 local time. The retrieval of [O] profiles was based on the generally accepted two-step Barth transfer scheme including consideration of quenching processes and the use of different available sources of temperature and atmospheric density profiles. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the retrieved [O] profiles to estimate maximum uncertainties assuming independent contributions of uncertainty components. Errors in photochemical model parameters depending on temperature uncertainties and random errors of model parameters contribute less than 50% to the overall [O] retrieval error. The retrieved [O] profiles were compared with reference [O] profiles provided by SABER/TIMED (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry instrument on board the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite) or by the NRLMSISE-00 (Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter radar Extended model, year: 2000) and SD-WACCM4 (Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with Specified Dynamics, version 4). A comparison of the retrieved [O] profiles with the reference [O] profiles led to the conclusion that the photochemical model taking into account quenching of O(1S) by O2, O(3P), and N2 and the SABER/TIMED model as a source of temperature and density profiles are the most appropriate choices for our case. The retrieved [O] profile time series exhibits characteristic seasonal variations in agreement with satellite observations based on analysis of OH Meinel band emissions and atmospheric models. A pronounced 11-year solar cycle variation can also be identified in the retrieved atomic oxygen concentration time series.

Atomic oxygen retrievals in the MLT region from SCIAMACHY nightglow limb measurements

Vertical profiles of atomic oxygen concentration in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region were retrieved from sun-synchronous SCIAMACHY/Envisat limb observations of the oxygen 557.7 nm green line emission occurring in the terrestrial nightglow. A band pass filter with noise detection was applied to eliminate contributions from other emissions, the impact of noise and auroral activity. Assuming horizontal homogeneity of each atmospheric layer, and absence of absorption and scattering, vertical volume emission rate profiles were retrieved from integrated limb emission rate profiles. The radiative transfer problem was treated with a linear forward model and inverted using regularized total least squares minimization. Atomic oxygen concentration ([O]) profiles were retrieved at altitudes from 85 to 105 km with approximately 4 km vertical resolution for the period from August 2002 to April 2012 at a constant local time (LT) of approximately 22:00. The retrieval of [O] profiles was based on the generally accepted 2-step Barth transfer scheme including consideration of quenching processes and the use of different available sources of temperature and atmospheric density profiles. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the retrieved [O] profiles to estimate the maximum uncertainty, assuming independent contributions of uncertainty components. The retrieved [O] profiles were compared with reference [O] profiles measured by SABER/TIMED and modelled using NRLMSISE-00 and SD-WACCM4. A comparison of the retrieved [O] profiles with the reference [O] profiles enabled the selection of the most appropriate photochemical model accounting for quenching processes and the most appropriate source of temperature and density profiles for further application of our approach to the [O] profile retrieval. The obtained [O] profile time series show characteristic seasonal variations in agreement with atmospheric models and satellite observations based on analysis of OH Meinel band emissions. Furthermore, a pronounced 11 year solar cycle variation can be identified in the atomic oxygen concentration time series, which will be the subject of further studies.