OH(6-2) spectra and rotational temperature measurements at Davis, Antarctica

Abstract

The OH(6-2) band was monitored during 1990 at Davis, Antarctica (68.6°S, 78.0°E) using a Czerny-Turner scanning spectrometer. Spectra obtained with a 0.15-nm bandwidth and wavelength steps of 0.005 nm have been recorded in an attempt to isolate auroral features. This has enabled detailed study of weak features in the region λ837.5–855.5 nm. These weak features can contribute to the apparent intensity of P-branch lines and to the background. Their presence is allowed for in our calculation of rotational temperature, but the P1(3) line is excluded because of significant contamination. An average temperature of 221±2 K is obtained from a selected data set of 104 spectra. The mid-winter average temperature, for the months of May, June and July, is 224±2 K, which is consistent with the 1986 CIRA model values for mid-winter at this height and latitude, but this result is dependent on the choice of transition probabilities. Preliminary assessments of seasonal and diurnal variations in rotational temperature and intensity are presented. Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure · Airglow and aurora; Middle-atmosphere composition and chemistry · Pressure · density and temperature