Airglow studies using an all-reflection interferometer for extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy (ARIES)

Abstract

Ultrahigh resolution line studies can deepen insight into the excitation processes and structures of the upper atmosphere; attention is presently given to the possibility of a study of terrestrial atomic oxygen in the thermosphere through measurements of the O I 1304 A solar and terrestrial airglow emissions from a sounding rocket. These line profile studies of the airglow yield a relative contribution of the two main excitation mechanisms (photoelectron impact and solar-resonance scattering), as well as a verification of cross section and branching ratios.