Hydroxyl Nightglow Research Articles

Multiyear variations of time-correlated mesoscale OH temperature perturbations near the mesopause at Maymaga, Tory and Zvenigorod

Ground-based observations of the natural hydroxyl (OH) nightglow at altitudes of 85–90 km are used for deriving the rotational temperature of excited OH, which is close to the neutral atmospheric temperature. For filtering of mesoscale perturbations, we use differences between pairs of measured values of OH rotational temperature separated with fixed time intervals in the range of 0.5–2 h. The filtering is applied for studying mesoscale variations of temperature near the mesopause according to the data of spectral OH nightglow measurements at observatories of Zvenigorod (56°N, 37°E.) in the years 2004–2016, Tory (52°N, 103°E) in 2012–2017 and Maymaga (63°N, 130°E) in 2000–2015. Monthly-mean values and variances of temperature disturbances with periods 0.7–8.2 h are determined. Semiempirical and statistical approaches are used to estimate and subtract variances of the instrumental dark current noise and uncorrelated in time fluctuations. Seasonal and interannual variations in standard deviations of correlated in time mesoscale perturbations of the OH rotational temperature at the considered observational sites are studied. They can give information about multiyear changes in the activity of atmospheric acoustic-gravity waves propagating through the OH layer near the mesopause.

Analysis of 24 years of mesopause region OH rotational temperature observations at Davis, Antarctica – Part 2: Evidence of a quasi-quadrennial oscillation (QQO) in the polar mesosphere

Abstract. Observational evidence of a quasi-quadrennial oscillation (QQO) in the polar mesosphere is presented based on the analysis of 24 years of hydroxyl (OH) nightglow rotational temperatures derived from scanning spectrometer observations above Davis research station, Antarctica (68∘ S, 78∘ E). After removal of the long-term trend and solar cycle response, the residual winter mean temperature variability contains an oscillation over an approximately 3.5–4.5-year cycle with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 3–4 K. Here we investigate this QQO feature in the context of the global temperature, pressure, wind, and surface fields using satellite, meteorological reanalysis, sea surface temperature, and sea ice concentration data sets in order to understand possible drivers of the signal. Specifically, correlation and composite analyses are made with data sets from the Microwave Limb Sounder on the Aura satellite (Aura/MLS v4.2) and the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry instrument on the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics Dynamics satellite (TIMED/SABER v2.0), ERA5 reanalysis, the Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST v5), and Optimum-Interpolation (OI v2) sea ice concentration. We find a significant anti-correlation between the QQO temperature and the meridional wind at 86 km altitude measured by a medium-frequency spaced antenna radar at Davis (R2∼0.516; poleward flow associated with warmer temperatures at ∼0.83±0.21 K (ms−1)−1). The QQO signal is also marginally correlated with vertical transport as determined from an evaluation of carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in the mesosphere (sensitivity 0.73±0.45 K ppmv−1 CO, R2∼0.18). Together this relationship suggests that the QQO is plausibly linked to adiabatic heating and cooling driven by the meridional flow. The presence of quasi-stationary or persistent patterns in the ERA5 data geopotential anomaly and the meridional wind anomaly data during warm and cold phases of the QQO is consistent with tidal or planetary waves influencing its formation, which may act on the filtering of gravity waves to drive an adiabatic response in the mesosphere. The QQO signal plausibly arises from an ocean–atmosphere response, and appears to have a signature in Antarctic sea ice extent.

Analysis of 24 years of mesopause region OH rotational temperature observations at Davis, Antarctica – Part 1: long-term trends

Abstract. The long-term trend, solar cycle response, and residual variability in 24 years of hydroxyl nightglow rotational temperatures above Davis research station, Antarctica (68∘ S, 78∘ E) are reported. Hydroxyl rotational temperatures are a layer-weighted proxy for kinetic temperatures near 87 km altitude and have been used for many decades to monitor trends in the mesopause region in response to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Routine observations of the OH(6-2) band P-branch emission lines using a scanning spectrometer at Davis station have been made continuously over each winter season since 1995. Significant outcomes of this most recent analysis update are the following: (a) a record-low winter-average temperature of 198.3 K is obtained for 2018 (1.7 K below previous low in 2009); (b) a long-term cooling trend of -1.2±0.51 K per decade persists, coupled with a solar cycle response of 4.3±1.02 K per 100 solar flux units; and (c) we find evidence in the residual winter mean temperatures of an oscillation on a quasi-quadrennial (QQO) timescale which is investigated in detail in Part 2 of this work. Our observations and trend analyses are compared with satellite measurements from Aura/MLS version v4.2 level-2 data over the last 14 years, and we find close agreement (a best fit to temperature anomalies) with the 0.00464 hPa pressure level values. The solar cycle response (3.4±2.3 K per 100 sfu), long-term trend (-1.3±1.2 K per decade), and underlying QQO residuals in Aura/MLS are consistent with the Davis observations. Consequently, we extend the Aura/MLS trend analysis to provide a global view of solar response and long-term trend for Southern and Northern Hemisphere winter seasons at the 0.00464 hPa pressure level to compare with other observers and models.

Multi-year observations of mesoscale variances of hydroxyl nightglow near the mesopause at Tory and Zvenigorod

Digital difference filters were used for the analysis of data of the spectral observations of the rotational temperature and emission intensity of vibrationally excited hydroxyl (OH*) at altitudes 85–90 km at observatories Zvenigorod (56° N, 37° E) for 2004–2016 years and Tory (52° N, 103° E) for 2012–2017. The monthly-average values and standard deviations of mesoscale perturbations of the OH* emission characteristics with periods 0.8–11 h are obtained. These mesoscale perturbations may reflect internal gravity waves (IGWs) in the mesopause region. To filter out mesoscale perturbations, differences between the sequential values of the OH* emission characteristics, averaged over the intervals by duration from 0.5 h to 2 h, were obtained. The average monthly variances of mesoscale perturbations in the OH* rotational temperature obtained at Tory are larger compared to Zvenigorod ones. Average seasonal changes of relative mesoscale variances demonstrate maxima in winter and in summer, with the summer maximum shifted closer to spring months for the Tory station. The reasons for the differences could be different orography and jet streams in the lower and middle atmosphere, also different spectra of IGW horizontal wavelengths due to different geometry of observations at Tory and Zvenigorod.

Interannual dynamics in intensity of mesoscale hydroxyl nightglow variations over Almaty

The method of digital difference filters is applied to the data analysis of SATI observations of hydroxyl nightglow intensity and rotational temperature at altitudes 85–90 km over Almaty (43°03' N, 76°58' E), Kazakhstan, in 2010–2017. We examine seasonal and interannual variations in monthly average values and standard deviations of variations with periods 0.4–5.4 hrs, which may be associated with internal gravity waves in the mesopause region. The monthly average temperature near the mesopause has a maximum in winter and a minimum in June. The monthly average intensity has an additional maximum in June. Standard deviation of mesoscale rotational temperature variations and characteristics of internal gravity waves are maximum in spring and autumn. The spring maximum of mesoscale OH emission intensity variations is shifted to June. Interannual variations and multi-year trends of OH rotational temperature and emission intensity may differ in detail. This may be connected with seasonal and long-term variations in the complex system of the photochemical processes, which produce the OH nightglow.

Межгодовые изменения интенсивности мезомасштабных вариаций ночного свечения гидроксила в Алма-Ате

The method of digital difference filters is applied to the data analysis of SATI observations of hydroxyl nightglow intensity and rotational temperature at altitudes 85–90 km over Almaty (43°03' N, 76°58' E), Kazakhstan, in 2010–2017. We examine seasonal and interannual variations in average monthly values and standard deviations of variations with periods 0.4–5.4 hrs, which may be associated with internal gravity waves in the mesopause region. The average monthly temperature near the mesopause has a maximum in winter and a minimum in June. The average monthly intensity has an additional maximum in June. Standard deviation of mesoscale rotational temperature variations and characteristics of internal gravity waves are maximum in spring and autumn. The spring maximum of mesoscale OH emission intensity variations is shifted to June. Interannual variations and multi-year trends of OH rotational temperature and emission intensity may differ in detail. This may be connected with seasonal and long-term variations in the complex system of the photochemical processes, which produce the OH nightglow.

The leading role of atomic oxygen in the collocation of elves and hydroxyl nightglow in the low‐latitude mesosphere

AbstractThe elve is the dominant type of transient luminous event (TLE) at the base of the E region ionosphere. The hydroxyl nightglow (OH* nightglow hereafter) has been reported at a similar altitude. Statistical studies show that the mean heights of elve and OH* nightglow are 87 km and 87.5 km, respectively, and that 91% of the 291 limb elves are located within ±5 km of the altitude of the brightest OH* nightglow emission and both elves and OH* nightglow show the semiannual oscillation (SAO) at low latitude. The physical reasons for the collocation of elves and OH* nightglow are the main focus of attention. A model for elve emission with the environmental‐adapted electron density profile is tested with three density profiles of atomic oxygen (O): the original profile from the NRLMSISE‐00 model and two other profiles which are shifted 5 km upward/downward from the original. For higher altitudes of the given O density profile, the peak altitudes of the elve emission layers are also increased. This result reveals the leading role of atomic oxygen in the collocation. Furthermore, the altitude variation of elves is compared with the VLF reflection height observed by DEMETER. The latter height not only shows the SAO similarity to the elve/OH* heights but also exhibits a difference between land and ocean. The possible relationship between VLF reflection height and elve/OH* height is also discussed.

Terrestrial OH nightglow measurements during the Rosetta flyby

AbstractWe present a study of the terrestrial hydroxyl nightglow emissions observed with the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer on board the Rosetta mission. During these observations, the OH Δv = 1 and 2 sequences were measured simultaneously. This allowed investigating the relative population of the v = 1 to 9 vibrational levels by using both sequences. In particular, the relative population of the vibrational level v = 1 is determined for the first time from observations. The vibrational population decreases with increasing vibrational quantum number. A good agreement is found with a recent model calculation assuming multiquantum relaxation for OH(v) quenching by O2 and single‐quantum relaxation for OH(v) by N2.

Quasi-16-day period oscillations observed in middle atmospheric ozone and temperature in Antarctica

Abstract. Nightly averaged mesospheric temperature derived from the hydroxyl nightglow at Rothera station (67°34' S, 68°08' W) and nightly midnight measurements of ozone mixing ratio obtained from Troll station (72°01' S, 2°32' E) in Antarctica have been used to investigate the presence and vertical profile of the quasi-16-day planetary wave in the stratosphere and mesosphere during the Antarctic winter of 2009. The variations caused by planetary waves on the ozone mixing ratio and temperature are discussed, and spectral and cross-correlation analyses are performed to extract the wave amplitudes and to examine the vertical structure of the wave from 34 to 80 km. The results show that while planetary-wave signatures with periods 3–12 days are strong below the stratopause, the oscillations associated with the 16-day wave are the strongest and present in both the mesosphere and stratosphere. The period of the wave is found to increase below 42 km due to the Doppler shifting by the strong eastward zonal wind. The 16-day oscillation in the temperature is found to be correlated and phase coherent with the corresponding oscillation observed in O3 volume mixing ratio at all levels, and the wave is found to have vertical phase fronts consistent with a normal mode structure.

Implications of the O + OH reaction in hydroxyl nightglow modeling

Abstract. The hydroxyl nightglow has been examined anew using calculated rate constants for the key reactive and inelastic O + OH(v') quenching processes. These constants have been obtained from quasiclassical trajectories run on the adiabatic ab initio-based double many-body expansion-IV potential energy surface for the ground state of the hydroperoxil radical. Significant differences in the vertical profiles of vibrationally excited hydroxyl radicals are obtained relative to the ones predicted by Adler-Golden (1997) when employing an O + OH(v') effective rate constant chosen to be twice the experimental value for quenching of OH(v' = 1). At an altitude of 90 km, such deviations range from ~ 80% for v' = 1 to only a few percent for v' = 9. Other mechanisms reported in the literature have also been utilized, in particular those that loosely yield lower and upper limits in the results, namely sudden-death and collisional cascade. Finally, the validity of the steady-state hypothesis is analysed through comparison with results obtained via numerical integration of the master equations.

Long-term trends in Antarctic winter hydroxyl temperatures

[1] Observations of the hydroxyl nightglow emission with a scanning spectrometer at Davis station, Antarctica (68°S, 78°E), have been maintained over each winter season since 1995. Rotational temperatures are derived from the P-branch lines of the OH(6–2) band near λ840 nm and are a layer-weighted proxy for kinetic temperatures near 87 km altitude. The current 16 year record allows tentative estimation of the atmospheric response in the mesopause region to solar cycle forcing and the underlying long-term linear temperature trend. Seven years of new data have been added since the last reported trend assessments using these data. A multivariate regression analysis on seasonally detrended winter mean hydroxyl temperatures yields a solar cycle coefficient of 4.8 ± 1.0 K/100 solar flux units (SFU) and a linear long-term cooling coefficient of −1.2 ± 0.9 K/decade. These coefficients are consistent within uncertainties for nightly, monthly, and annual mean trend evaluations. A distinct seasonal variation in trend coefficients is found in 30 day sliding window or monthly trend analyses. The largest solar activity response (∼7 K/100 SFU) is measured in March, May–June, and September, and there is little or no solar response in April and August. The long-term trend coefficient shows the largest cooling rate (4–5 K/decade) in August–September, through to warming (2–3 K/decade) for the March and May–June periods. Comparisons of trend results are made with other important hydroxyl measurement sites. Variability in the remaining residual temperatures is examined using lag correlation analyses for the influence of planetary waves, the quasi-biennial oscillation, the polar vortex intensity, and the southern annular mode.

The role of the QBO in the inter-hemispheric coupling of summer mesospheric temperatures

Abstract. Inter-hemispheric coupling between the polar summer mesosphere and planetary-wave activity in the extra-tropical winter stratosphere has recently been inferred using Polar Mesospheric Cloud (PMC) properties as a proxy for mesospheric temperature (Karlsson et al., 2007). Here we confirm these results using a ten-year time series of July mesospheric temperatures near 60° N derived from the hydroxyl (OH) nightglow. In addition, we show that the time-lagged correlation between these summer mesospheric temperatures and the ECMWF winter stratospheric temperatures displays a strong Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO). The sign and phase of the correlation is consistent with the QBO modulation of the extra-tropical stratospheric dynamics in the Southern Hemisphere via the Holton-Tan mechanism (Holton and Tan, 1980). This lends strength to the identification of synoptic and planetary waves as the driver of the inter-hemispheric coupling, and results in a strong QBO modulation of the polar summer mesospheric temperatures.

Hydroxyl airglow on Venus in comparison with Earth

Hydroxyl nightglow is intensively studied in the Earth atmosphere, due to its coupling to the ozone cycle. Recently, it was detected for the first time also in the Venus atmosphere, thanks to the VIRTIS-Venus Express observations. The main Δ ν=1, 2 emissions in the infrared spectral range, centred, respectively, at 2.81 and 1.46 μm (which correspond to the (1-0) and (2-0) transitions, respectively), were observed in limb geometry ( Piccioni et al., 2008) with a mean emission rate of 880±90 and 100±40 kR (1R=10 6 photon cm −2 s −1 (4 πster) −1), respectively, integrated along the line of sight. In this investigation, the Bates–Nicolet chemical reaction is reported to be the most probable mechanism for OH production on Venus, as in the case of Earth, but HO 2 and O may still be not negligible as mechanism of production for OH, differently than Earth. The nightglow emission from OH provides a method to quantify O 3, HO 2, H and O, and to infer the mechanism of transport of the key species involved in the production. Very recently, an ozone layer was detected in the upper atmosphere of Venus by the SPICAV (Spectroscopy for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Venus) instrument onboard Venus Express ( Montmessin et al., 2009); this discovery enhances the importance of ozone to the OH production in the upper atmosphere of Venus through the Bates–Nicolet mechanism. On Venus, OH airglow is observed only in the night side and no evidence has been found whether a similar emission exists also in the day side. On Mars it is expected to exist both on the day and night sides of the planet, because of the presence of ozone, though OH airglow has not yet been detected. In this paper, we review and compare the OH nightglow on Venus and Earth. The case of Mars is also briefly discussed for the sake of completeness. Similarities from a chemical and a dynamical point of view are listed, though visible OH emissions on Earth and IR OH emissions on Venus are compared.

Inferring hydroxyl layer peak heights from ground-based measurements of OH(6-2) band integrated emission rate at Longyearbyen (78° N, 16° E)

Abstract. Measurements of hydroxyl nightglow emissions over Longyearbyen (78° N, 16° E) recorded simultaneously by the SABER instrument onboard the TIMED satellite and a ground-based Ebert-Fastie spectrometer have been used to derive an empirical formula for the height of the OH layer as a function of the integrated emission rate (IER). Altitude profiles of the OH volume emission rate (VER) derived from SABER observations over a period of more than six years provided a relation between the height of the OH layer peak and the integrated emission rate following the procedure described by Liu and Shepherd (2006). An extended period of overlap of SABER and ground-based spectrometer measurements of OH(6-2) IER during the 2003–2004 winter season allowed us to express ground-based IER values in terms of their satellite equivalents. The combination of these two formulae provided a method for inferring an altitude of the OH emission layer over Longyearbyen from ground-based measurements alone. Such a method is required when SABER is in a southward looking yaw cycle. In the SABER data for the period 2002–2008, the peak altitude of the OH layer ranged from a minimum near 76 km to a maximum near 90 km. The uncertainty in the inferred altitude of the peak emission, which includes a contribution for atmospheric extinction, was estimated to be ±2.7 km and is comparable with the ±2.6 km value quoted for the nominal altitude (87 km) of the OH layer. Longer periods of overlap of satellite and ground-based measurements together with simultaneous on-site measurements of atmospheric extinction could reduce the uncertainty to approximately 2 km.

Spectral wave analysis at the mesopause from SCIAMACHY airglow data compared to SABER temperature spectra

Abstract. Space-time spectral analysis of satellite data is an important method to derive a synoptic picture of the atmosphere from measurements sampled asynoptically by satellite instruments. In addition, it serves as a powerful tool to identify and separate different wave modes in the atmospheric data. In our work we present space-time spectral analyses of chemical heating rates derived from Scanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) hydroxyl nightglow emission measurements onboard Envisat for the years 2002–2006 at mesopause heights. Since SCIAMACHY nightglow hydroxyl emission measurements are restricted to the ascending (nighttime) part of the satellite orbit, our analysis also includes temperature spectra derived from 15 μm CO2 emissions measured by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument. SABER offers better temporal and spatial coverage (daytime and night-time values of temperature) and a more regular sampling grid. Therefore SABER spectra also contain information about higher frequency waves. Comparison of SCIAMACHY and SABER results shows that SCIAMACHY, in spite of its observational restrictions, provides valuable information on most of the wave modes present in the mesopause region. The main differences between wave spectra obtained from these sensors can be attributed to the differences in their sampling patterns.

Stereoscopic imaging of the hydroxyl emissive layer at low latitudes

The hydroxyl nightglow layer is an excellent tracer of the dynamical processes occurring within the mesosphere. A new stereo-imaging method is applied that not only measures the altitude of the airglow layer but also provides a three-dimensional map of the OH-layer centroid heights. A campaign was conducted in July 2006 in Peru to obtain NIR images of the OH nightglow layer which were simultaneously taken for two sites separated by 645 km: Cerro Cosmos (12°09′08.2″S, 75°33′49.3″W, altitude 4630 m) and Cerro Verde Tellolo (16°33′17.6″S, 71°39′59.4″W, altitude 2330 m). Data represented by pairs of images obtained during the nights of July 26–27 and 28–29 are analyzed to yield satellite-type views of the wave field. These are obtained by application of an inversion algorithm. In calculating the normalized cross-correlation parameter for the intensity, three-dimensional maps of the OH nightglow layer surface are retrieved. The mean altitude of the emission profile barycenter is found to be at 87.1 km on July 26 and 89.5 km on July 28. In these two cases the horizontal wavelengths determined are 21.1 and 24.6 km with periods of 18 and 34 min, respectively. A panoramic view of the OH nightglow emission obtained on July 29 at 8 h51–9 h26 UT is presented, in which the overall direction of the waves is found to be N–NW to S–SE, azimuth 150°–330° (counted from South). The wave kinetic energy density at the OH nightglow layer altitude is 3.9×10 −4 W/kg, which is comparable to the values derived from partial reflection radiowave data.

Measurement of mesopause temperature from hydroxyl nightglow at Kolhapur (16.8°N, 74.2°E), India

The paper reports the nightglow observations of hydroxyl (8–3), (7–2) and (6–2) Meinel band carried out at a low latitude station Kolhapur (16.8°N, 74.2°E, dip latitude 10.6°N), India during November 2002 to May 2005 with the objective of investigating mesopause dynamics based on derived OH rotational temperature. Overall, 132 nights of quality data were collected using filter-tilting photometer and an all-sky scanning photometer. The mean mesopause temperature observed at Kolhapur is 195 ± 11, 196 ± 9 and 195 ± 7 K from OH (8–3), (7–2) and (6–2) band emissions, respectively, using transition probabilities given by Langhoff et al. [Langhoff, S.R., Werner, H.J., Rosmus, P. Theoretical transition probabilities for the OH Meinel system. Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy 118, 507–529, 1986]. Small wave-like variations (periodicities ∼ few hours) existing over long period variations in derived temperatures are also present. A steady decrease of emission intensities from evening to dawn hours has been observed in approximately 59% of nights. No significant change of nightly mean temperatures has been noted. Furthermore, about 62% of observed nightly mean temperatures lie within one error bar of MSISE-90 model predictions.

Mesospheric semiannual oscillation in temperature and nightglow emission

The study examines the seasonal variability of mesospheric temperature along with atomic oxygen and hydroxyl nightglow observed by the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) at equatorial and tropical latitudes over the period from January 1992 until December 1995. Cross sections of the zonal monthly mean temperature and airglow profiles in the latitude range ± 15 ∘ show a distinct mesospheric semiannual oscillation (MSAO), its relationship with the wind MSAO and apparent modulation by the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). The first half of the MSAO cycle (beginning with a cold temperature anomaly in the northern winter) appears stronger at the equator both for the temperature and the airglow emissions compared to the second half (beginning with a cold temperature anomaly in the southern hemisphere). In the airglow emissions the MSAO appears as alternating cells of enhanced and decreased emission rate of the O ( 1 S ) and OH emissions, corresponding to cold and warm temperature anomalies. The QBO effect is observed as a temperature decrease and O ( 1 S ) and OH emission rate enhancements during the easterly phase of the wind MSAO with peaks at the equator in March/April 1993 and 1995. Away from the equator the O ( 1 S ) MSAO/QBO coupling appears 180 ∘ out of phase with respect to that at the equator with emission rate enhancements in March/April 1992 and 1994. The observed temperature and airglow signatures correlate strongly with the QBO and easterly phase of the zonal wind MSAO. At the 5 ∘ S – 15 ∘ S latitude band the wind MSAO deteriorates into prevailing easterly wind possibly resulting from downward motion of the stratospheric SAO westerlies and small-scale gravity wave activity.

Rapid, large‐scale temperature changes in the polar mesosphere and their relationship to meridional flows

Mesospheric temperatures derived from spectroscopic measurements of the hydroxyl (OH) nightglow have been observed from Rothera (67.6°S, 68.1°W) and Halley (75.6°S, 26.6°W) stations in Antarctica during the 2002 austral winter season. In addition to the normal seasonal changes, the temperatures at both sites, separated by 1658 km, showed several simultaneous shifts in temperature of between 10 and 20 K. These changes abruptly occurred in the space of 2–3 days and lasted for several days. These rapid variations in temperature were associated with large swings observed in the meridional component of the mesospheric wind measured by the Rothera MF radar. As there appeared to be no phase shift between the temperature variations at the two longitudinally separated stations indicating that planetary‐waves caused the changes, these large‐scale changes have been interpreted as variations in the inter‐hemispheric meridional jet, and a corresponding modulation of the mesospheric descent and adiabatic heating rates over the polar region.

Atomic oxygen density profiles from ground‐based nightglow measurements at 23°S

In this paper we demonstrate how ground‐based measurements of selected airglow emission features may be used to determine the vertical distribution of atomic oxygen in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The technique used is based on a method first suggested by Sharp and McDade [1996] and exploits differences between the kinetics of specific oxygen airglow features to determine key parameters related to the atomic oxygen vertical distribution. The technique is applied to ground‐based measurements of the OI 557.7 nm green line, the O2 Atmospheric (0–1) band, and the OH Meinel (9–4) band emissions made at Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil (23°S, 45°W) from January 1987 to June 1994. In order to compare the results obtained here with observations, the derived atomic oxygen density profiles are used to forward calculate hydroxyl nightglow profiles which are then compared with profiles measured by the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) experiment on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). This comparison shows good agreement for the seasonally averaged nocturnal behavior of both the peak altitude and the peak volume emission rate.