The observation of the near infrared night air glow by K-9M-58 rocket

The night air glow in the wavelength between 2 μm and 2.7 μm was observed with the PbS detector on board the K-9M-58 rocket. The detector was cooled by liquid nitrogen, and the 8 cm diameter silicon lens was used for the optical system. The zenith angle of the observed direction was 8 +- 2 deg, and the near infrared data during ascent and descent were obtained. The observed altitude dependence of the surface brightness is explained in terms of radiations due to OH or CO2 vibration excitation process. However, the interpretation in terms of the OH 2.15 μm and 2.8 μm radiation is rejected by Chamberrlain and Smith's result. Hence, this data is interpreted in terms of the CO2 2.7 μm and 2.77 μm radiation. The intensity of CO2 radiation emitted from the processes of the resonant scattering of CO2 radiation, the resonant fluorescence of CO2 radiation and the CO2 excitation by the collision with N2 was calculated and compared with the observed data. The observed data is two figures of magnitude larger than the calculated data. (Yoshimori, M.)