All‐sky measurements of short period waves imaged in the OI(557.7 nm), Na(589.2 nm) and near infrared OH and O2(0,1) nightglow emissions during the ALOHA‐93 Campaign

As part of the ALOHA-93 campaign a high performance all-sky CCD imaging system was operated at Haleakala Crater, Maui, to obtain novel information on the properties and sources of short period gravity waves over an extended height range ∼80-100 km. Sequential observations of the near infrared OH and O 2 (0,1) bands and the visible wavelength OI(557.7 nm) and Na(589.2 nm) line emissions have enabled a unique comparison of the morphology and dynamics of the wave motions and their occurrence frequency at each emission altitude to be made. Two major findings are: (a) the detection of significantly higher amounts of wave structure at OI altitudes (∼96 km) compared with that in the OH emission (∼87 km) and (b) the discovery of an unusual morphology, small-scale wave pattern that was most conspicuous in the OI emission and essentially absent at OH heights. These data provide strong evidence for the presence of ducted wave motions in the lower thermosphere.