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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Airglow and aurora
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Middle atmosphere—composition and chemistry
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pressure, density, and temperature

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 29, 1165, 4 PP., 2002
doi:10.1029/2001GL014101

First measurement of atmospheric density and pressure by meteor diffusion coefficient and airglow OH temperature in the mesopause region

H. Takahashi

Radio Science Center for Space and Atmosphere, Kyoto University, Japan

T. Nakamura

Radio Science Center for Space and Atmosphere, Kyoto University, Japan

T. Tsuda

Radio Science Center for Space and Atmosphere, Kyoto University, Japan

R. A. Buriti

Departamento de Fisica, CCT, Universidade Federal de Paraiba, Brazil

D. Gobbi

Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Brazil

Atmospheric density and pressure in the mesopause region, around 87 km, are inferred using meteor trail ambipolar diffusion coefficient, D, and simultaneously observed airglow OH rotational temperature, TOH. This is the first time to determine the atmospheric density, temperature and pressure by this method. From the 17 nights of data, we found that the number density at around 87 km of altitude varied from 0.9 to 1.2 × 1014 cm−3, and the pressure varied from 0.27 to 0.35 Pascal. The density variation is opposite to the temperature. The OH (6,2) band emission rates showed negative correlation with the density, contrast to positive relation with the temperature. In order to explain temporal variation of the OH emission rate, therefore, it is necessary to assume change of atomic oxygen mixing ratio in the emission heights.

Published 16 April 2002.

Citation: Takahashi, H., T. Nakamura, T. Tsuda, R. A. Buriti, and D. Gobbi (2002), First measurement of atmospheric density and pressure by meteor diffusion coefficient and airglow OH temperature in the mesopause region, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29(8), 1165, doi:10.1029/2001GL014101.

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