An Approach to Determine O and N2 Densities in the Thermosphere Using EUV Airglow
Abstract
This memorandum documents the development and validation of an algorithm designed to retrieve thermospheric atomic oxygen (O) and molecular nitrogen (N2) densities over the altitude range 150-400 km using measurements of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) dayglow from the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON). This measurement approach does not have an inherent ionospheric emission that can, under certain conditions, complicate the analysis and interpretation of these measurables using state-of-the-art far-ultraviolet (FUV) airglow measurement approach. Also, since EUV airglow emissions are produced directly by solar extreme ultraviolet rather than by the secondary process of impact by the correspondingly generated photoelectrons, this method has the potential to enable expansion of neutral density observations into the auroral zone and polar cap where the FUV measurement cannot be applied. These first results are validated by comparison to the MSIS 2.0model, as well as contemporaneous composition and neutral density measurements from the NASA GOLD and Swarm missions. Areas for future development and improvement in the measurement and analysis of these emissions are also discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1193968
Entities
People
- Andrew W. Stephan
- Richard M Tuminello
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory