Fabry-Perot-interferometer imaging system for thermospheric temperature and wind measurements

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric physics
• Auroral spectroscopy
• Remote sensing

Background:

• Auroral emissions provide insights into upper atmospheric conditions.
• Traditional methods for analyzing auroral emissions can be time-consuming.
• Real-time monitoring of atmospheric parameters is crucial for space weather studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a real-time system for analyzing Doppler-broadened Fabry-Perot fringes of auroral emissions.
• To enable fast measurements of E- and F-region temperatures and winds.
• To improve the efficiency of auroral spectral analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a low-light level image-orthicon TV camera coupled with a two-stage image intensifier.
• Employed a static-mode Fabry-Perot interferometer.
• Implemented image processing techniques including annulus summation and analog display analysis.
• Integrated video digitization and digital processing systems.

Main Results:

• Successfully detected Doppler-broadened Fabry-Perot fringes of weak auroral [OI] 5577- and 6300-Å emissions in real-time (1/60 sec).
• Demonstrated the capability for fast, real-time measurements of E- and F-region temperatures and winds.
• Achieved visually prominent TV images of fringes with [OI] 5577-Å intensity of ~750 R in 0.5 sec.
• Determined the temperature of the emitting region using a fraction of the total image information.

Conclusions:

• The developed imaging system allows for efficient, real-time analysis of auroral emissions.
• This technique significantly enhances the speed of atmospheric temperature and wind measurements.
• The method holds promise for improved space weather monitoring and atmospheric research.