Aura MLS Observations of the Polar Middle Atmosphere : Dynamics and Transport of CO and H2O
No abstract available
Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS)↗
Engineering topics
Minschwaner, Kenneth R.
Publications and source records attributed to Minschwaner, Kenneth R..
OH vertical column abundance - Tropical measurements
Measurements of the vertical column abundance of atmospheric hydroxyl (OH) have been made during the period 1987-1989 at the National Weather Service (NWS) station at Moen, Truk, Federated States of Micronesia (7 deg N, 152 deg E). A total of 384 independent data sets was obtained. Tropical OH abundance levels average about 22 percent above corresponding mid-latitude values, with OH levels during late winter and early spring up to 50 percent above those observed at 40 deg N. Stratospheric wind and temperature data obtained from the daily NWS radiosonde data are examined for correlations with the OH results.
Burnett, Clyde R.↗
Periodic behaviors in the observed vertical column abundances of atmospheric hydroxyl
OH vertical column abundances measured at Fritz Peak Observatory, Colorado, from 1977 through 1988 reveal semi-annual and annual cycles which are amplitude modulated over the 11-year data base. The modulation of the OH seasonal behavior is in phase with solar activity as described by the sunspot number index. No mechanism for the observed covariance of this OH behavior with solar activity has yet been identified.
Burnett, Elizabeth Beaver↗
Periodic behaviors in the observed vertical column abundances of atmospheric hydroxyl
The data base for the vertical column abundance of atmospheric hydroxyl (OH) for Fritz Peak Observatory, Colorado (40 N, 105 W), now extends from 1976 through 1988 and is composed of 8849 independent data sets, averaging about 15 percent uncertainty and 20-minute time resolution each. The dominant solar zenith angle (chi) dependence of the OH abundance is characterized by an empirical curve, N(88), which has been updated from N(82) to include all valid data from 1980 through 1988. The chi-dependence of the OH abundance has been, to a first order, removed from the data base by a normalization procedure in which each data point is divided by the N(88,AM) value for the corresponding solar zenith angle. The resulting normalized OH values may then be examined for other systematic effects, particularly for periodic variations. Observations have also been made at Boca Raton, Florida (26 N, 80 W) and at Truk, Federated States of Micronesia (7 N, 152 E). These data bases are much less extensive and, as such, are less amenable to analysis for periodic behaviors. Some comparisons with the Colorado data may be made, however.
Burnett, Elizabeth Beaver↗
Vertical column abundance measurements of atmospheric hydroxyl from 26 deg, 40 deg, and 65 deg N
The vertical column abundance of atmospheric hydroxyl was measured with Pepsios spectrometers from Boca Raton, Florida (26.4 N); Fritz Peak, Colorado (40 deg N); and Poker Flat, Alaska (65 deg N). The data show a global solar zenith angle dependence for the OH abundances, with the general features common in measurements from all three locations since 1980. However, while theoretical models agree well with the pre-1980 abundances, the post-1980 data do not. It appears that a significant change in the atmospheric photochemistry needs to be introduced.
Burnett, Clyde R.↗