Author: Ove Harang

Publisher:

Published: 1966

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13:

The release of diatomic species, in particular AlO, into the upper atmosphere at twilight results in luminous clouds that display the resonance electronic-vibrational rotational spectrum of the released species. The intensity distribution of the vibrational-rotational bands is temperature dependent. Assuming thermal equilibrium of the released species with ambient, the ambient temperature can be determined. Using the AlO molecular parameters, Franck-Condon factors, and the solar intensity in the upper atmosphere, the population of AlO in the vibrational and rotational levels and the relative band intensities are calculated, tabulated, and charted. These charts will be useful for upper atmosphere temperature measurements from AlO luminous clouds.