DOPPLER SHIFTS IN WAVELENGTH OF OI LAMBDA6300 LINE IN NIGHT AIRGLOW

A method of measuring the speeds of neutral winds in the thermosphere by observing Doppler shifts in the wavelength of the OI λ6300 line in the night airglow with a Fabry-Perot interferometer is described, and possible perturbing effects are discussed. The method depends upon the existence of wind streams extending over about 10° in latitude or longitude, and results obtained using it are compared with the neutral wind patterns for altitudes of 250-300 km shown by several published theoretical models as well as with other observations. A very broad agreement with the models is evident, but when considered in detail the results indicate that local conditions in the thermosphere may have an influence on winds, and that changes in height of the region emitting the oxygen red line may be responsible for some of the observed effects. Possible correlations of wind variations with h′F changes and apparent OI λ6300 line widths were noted, and these are discussed. © 1969.