Dynamics of the Polar Upper Mesosphere from Airglow Observations

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The glow of the upper atmosphere at night (the airglow) can be seen with the naked eye from sites with very dark skies as the faint light from between the stars. Its spectrum is that of recombining molecular fragments. This airglow and its wave-like variations are an indication of the deposition of energy in the upper atmosphere. From above, the direct solar ultraviolet radiation and particle precipitation driven by the solar wind are the major sources, while chemical transport from below is modified by planetary waves, gravity waves and tides, that are seen as quasi-periodic variations in the range from minutes to days, and occurring for hours to tens of days at a time. This award is for observations of the airglow at a high latitude station (Alaska), to identify the solar cycle, seasonal, diurnal and sporadic variations, due to the coupling from above and below, and to relate them to numerical models of the chemistry and dynamics. To understand these processes is an important part of the ultimate description of the flow of energy from the sun to the earth.