Absorption measurements of upper-atmospheric sodium at Boca Raton, Florida, 1967-1971

Abstract

Upper-atmospheric sodium abundances have been measured at Boca Raton, Florida (26.4°N, 80.1°W), from 1967 to 1971. These daytime spectroscopic absorption measurements were made with the Pepsios spectrometer using sunlight, and each line profile was computer-fitted to yield the abundance and analysis uncertainty. Results are consistent with existing twilight glow measurements and do not show the daytime enhancement reported for dayglow measurements. No diurnal variations are apparent. Short-term fluctuations are large and tend to obscure possible effects of hurricanes.