Observations of OH(3,1) airglow emission using a Michelson interferometer at 62 degrees S

Abstract

A Michelson interferometer was used to observe the hydroxyl (OH) emission in the upper mesosphere at the King Sejong Station (62.22 degrees S, 301.25 degrees E), Antarctica. The instrument was installed in February 1999 and has been in routine operation since then. An intensive operational effort has resulted in a substantial data set between April and June, 1999. A spectral analysis was performed on individual data to examine the information of dominant waves. A harmonic analysis was also carried out on the monthly average data to investigate the characteristics of the major low frequency oscillations. The 12-hr temperature oscillations exhibit a striking agreement with a theoretical tidal model, supporting the tidal (migrating) origin. The 8-hr wave is found to be persistent and dominant, reflecting its major role in the upper mesospheric dynamics at the given latitude. The 6-hr oscillation is observed only in May with its value close to the prediction for zonally symmetric tides. (C) 2001 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.