Atomic oxygen retrieved from the SABER 2.0- and 1.6-μm radiances using new first-principles nighttime OH(v) Model

Using a new detailed OH(v) model and novel retrieval algorithm, we obtained O(P-3) densities in the nighttime mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) 2.0- and 1.6-m radiances.

We demonstrate how critical the new OH(v) relaxation mechanism is in the estimation of the abundance of O(P-3) in the nighttime MLT. Furthermore, the inclusion of this mechanism enables us to reconcile historically large discrepancies with O(P-3) results in the MLT obtained with different physical models and retrieval techniques from WIND Imaging Interferometer, Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imager System, and Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography observations of other airglow emissions.