THOMAS 2.5 THz Measurements of Middle Atmospheric OH: Comparison With MAHRSI Observations and Model Results
Abstract
In this work OH observations of the middle atmosphere performed by the improved 2.5 THz heterodyne spectrometer THOMAS (Tera Hertz OH Measurement Airborne Sounder) during the 1997 THOMAS/MAHRSI (Middle Atmosphere High Resolution Spectrograph investigation) campaign are presented. Results of the THOMAS OH measurements are compared to simultaneous MAHRSI OH observations and to photochemical model calculations using both standard HO(sub x) chemistry and a recently proposed change in HO(sub x) chemistry. The 40 km - 90 km OH column densities measured by THOMAS and MAHRSI show excellent agreement, the 50 km - 90 km OH column densities agree well within the measurement uncertainties throughout the diurnal cycle. The comparison of the observed and modeled OH column densities in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere suggests that neither model is capable of simultaneously reproducing the measurements in both regions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA527186
Entities
People
- Birger A. Schimpf
- Christoph R Englert
- Franz Schreier
- Manfred Birk
- Michael E. Summers
- Michael H. Stevens
- Robert R. Conway
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory