NIR Airglow Investigation of Latitudinal and Seasonal Variations of the Chemistry and Dynamics of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

在海拔80公里以上的地区，大气在白天受到高能紫外光子的照射，而在夜间则受到高能电子和正离子的照射。结果，许多分子和原子得到足够的能量，使它们发光，不仅是立即发光，有时几小时后也会发光，因为已经分裂成原子或电荷离子碎片的分子最终会重新组合。对这种发射光的研究揭示了该区域的成分、能量输入、动力学和温度的许多信息。气辉和极光发射的光谱延伸到远红外线，并且可以从该区域的测量中了解到许多不包含在可见光区域的信息。新技术现在已被纳入该地区的仪器，以迈克尔逊干涉仪的形式。这种系统的开发是CEDAR项目的重中之重，该合同由安柏瑞德航空大学和犹他州立大学共同提供。将对犹他州的气辉光和斯瓦尔巴德的极光进行观测，便携式和用户友好的系统将供航空界在许多地方使用。

The atmosphere in regions above about 80km altitude is irradiated with energetic ultraviolet photons during the daytime, and by energetic electrons and positive ions during the night in the auroral zone. As a consequence, many molecules and atoms receive enough energy to cause them to emit light, not only immediately, but sometimes hours later, as molecules that have been split up into atoms or into charges ionic fragments eventually recombine. Study of this emitted light reveals much information on the composition, energy inputs, dynamics and temperature of the region. The spectrum of airglow and auroral emission extends far into the infrared, and much can be learned from measurements in that region that is not contained in the visible region. New technology has now been incorporated into instruments for that region, in the form of a Michelson Interferometer. The development of such a system is a high priority for the CEDAR program, and this award is for a joint effort by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in conjunction with Utah State University to provide it. Observations will be made of airglow in Utah and aurora in Svalbad and the portable and user-friendly system will be available for use in many places by the aeronomy community.