STUDIES OF GRAVITY WAVES USING MICHELSON INTERFEROMETER MEASUREMENTS OF OH(3-1)BANDS

Abstract

As part of a long-term program for polar upper atmospheric studies, temperatures and intensities of the OH(3-1) bands were derived from spectrometric observations of airglow emissions over King Sejong station(62.22circS,301.25circE). These measurements were made with a Michelson interferometer to cover avelength regions between 1000nm and 2000 nm. A spectral analysis was performed to individual nights of data to acquire information on the waves in the upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere. It is assumed that the measured fluctuations in the intensity and temperature of the OH (3-1) airglow were caused by gravity waves propagating through the emission layer. Correlation of intensity and temperature variation revealed oscillations with periods ranging from 2 to 9 hours. We also calculated Krassovsky’s parameter and compared with published values.