Rocket Measurements of OH Emission Profiles in the 1.56 and 1.99 Micrometer Bands
Abstract
Results of radiometer measurements of infrared Hydroxyl (OH) emissions from five rocket flights are presented. Two of the rocket payloads were flown from Poker Flat Rocket Range, Alaska and three were flown from White Sands Missile Range, Nex Mexico. Four of the flights were flown during nighttime conditions and one (at WSMR) was flown during twilight (CHI = 99 deg). Each rocket payload was instrumented with liquid nitrogen cooled dual-channel radiometers to measure infrared OH emissions from the vibration-rotation bands 2-0 through 5-3 (1.56 micrometer channel) and the 7-5 through 9-7 (1.99 micrometer channel). The rocket data shows that the principle OH emissions in the bands cited occurs in a thin layer 8 to 10 km thick with peak emission near an altitude of 89 km. The ratio of nighttime 1.56 micrometer to 1.99 micrometer radiance is constant, at a value of 1.4, up to an altitude of 80 km regardless of latitude. At twilight, this ratio is larger at low altitudes (60 km) and diminishes with increasing altitude. Estimated nighttime peak volume emission rates at WSMR are 1 megaphotons per cm per sec per micrometer in the 1.56 micrometer band and 0.7 megaphotons per cu cm per sec per micrometer in the 1.99 micrometer band.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 28, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA022955
Entities
People
- A. T. Stair Jr.
- J. C. Ulwick
- K. D. Baker
- W. F. Grieder
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories