OAO, A-2, (Orbiting Astronomical Observatory A-2) Measurements of the Ultraviolet Airglow

Abstract

The term airglow is commonly used to describe nonthermal emissions not correlated with magnetic disturbances in the upper atmosphere. The study of this radiation provides information on the nature of the upper atmosphere, as well as clues to the physical processes occurring at very high altitudes. The authors undertook an investigation to measure the dark and sunlit earth using the photometers of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory A-2. The first series of measurements were concerned with the magnitude of the emitted radiation. Experimental results tend support the theory that dayglow in the 1300-1800A region is due primarily to photoelectron excitation of molecular nitrogen. The measurements obtained on the earth's limb represent the most complete coverage known to the authors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 1972
Accession Number
AD0752228

Entities

People

  • Barnett S. Green
  • Charles R. Waters
  • Donald L. Moyer
  • Edward S. Fishburne

Organizations

  • Grumman

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alpha Decay
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronomical Observatories
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Detectors
  • Geometry
  • Line Of Sight
  • Measurement
  • Observatories
  • Radiation
  • Rayleigh Scattering
  • Scattering
  • Solar Energy
  • Solar Radiation
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space