Airglow continuum emission in the visible wavelength regime

Author(s)
Stefanie Unterguggenberger, Stefan Noll, Wolfgang Kausch, B. Proxauf, Stefan Kimeswenger
Abstract

To probe dynamics and chemistry of the atmosphere at high altitudes (80-100 km), we need to understand airglow line and continuum emission. Accounting for the continuum emission is harder than for the emission lines. Gaining knowledge of the upper atmospheric continuum emission needs e.g. a proper subtraction of the other continuum components, and a very good subtraction of the other emission lines which requires a high spectral resolution. In this study, we want to focus on FeO continuum emission. FeO emits in the wavelength range from 0.5 to 0.72 m and probes an altitude of about 89 km. The altitude of the emission peak lies between those of OH (87 km) and NaD (92 km). Fe and Na are linked by their source, meteors, and their common reactant O3, which holds also for OH emission. Lidar and limb sounding studies provide measurements about the continuum contribution of the FeO and Fe density in the upper atmosphere, but for a more detailed analysis in terms of emission structure and variability a ground-based high resolution and high signal-to-noise spectrum would be preferable.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s)
Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck
Journal
Geophysical Research Abstracts
Volume
17
ISSN
1029-7006
Publication date
03-2015
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/airglow-continuum-emission-in-the-visible-wavelength-regime(fc328d2f-2d75-400d-a1e5-8c93130260b0).html