Seasonal and local time variations in the O(1S) green line, O2 atmospheric band, and OH Meinel band emissions as measured by the High Resolution Doppler Imager

Since March, 1994, the High Resolution Doppler Imager (HRDI) aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) has been collecting nearly simultaneous altitude profiles of the O(1S), O2(1Sigma), and OH (9-4) Meinel band emissions in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere during the satellite orbit's nighttime portion. These data permit seasonal variations of the emissions to be examined and correlated with seasonal changes in the tidal influence of the wind field. Examples of data from the UARS from its one-year continuous operation period of March 1994 to April 1995 are shown. All nighttime hours are covered every 36 days, since the UARS precesses in local time. Therefore, the volume emission rate profile can be mapped as a function of local time and latitude approximately each month. The retrieval method is discussed, and the height and brightness variations of the three emissions for the one-year period of data are presented. The local time variation of the OH (9-4) emission between March 12 and April 21, 1994 is shown. (AIAA)