An assessment of proposed O( 1S) and O 2( b1Σg+) nightglow excitation parameters

Abstract

A database consisting of a number of simultaneously measured O( 1D- 1S) green line and O 2( b 1 Σ g +) − X 3 Σ g )(0,0) atmospheric band nightglow emission profiles is examined to assess the general validity of the airglow excitation parameters recently proposed by McDade et al. (1986, Planet. Space Sci., 34, 789). The measured profiles were obtained under quite diverse atmospheric conditions and should, therefore, allow a critical assessment of the proposed parameters. Model green line emission profiles, calculated from the measured O 2 atmospheric band emission profiles using the proposed parameters, are compared with the green line profiles actually measured on each occasion. The measured and modelled green line profiles are found to be in good agreement under most conditions. The cases for which discrepancies exist are discussed in terms of inadequacies in either the background atmosphere adopted for the analyses or in the parameters themselves.