• Results of a Survey of IGY Patrol Spectra at College, Alaska

      Herman, L.; Belon, A. E. (Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, 1961-03)
      The behavior of prominent auroral emissions has been studied statistically using the IGY patrol spectrograms obtained at College, Alaska during the International Geophysical Year. Results are presented in the form of mean diurnal intensity variations and in the form of correlation tables. Both presentations suggest the occurrence of two types of auroras. One is relatively weak, has a broad intensity maximum around magnetic midnight, and contains the hydrogen Balmer emissions. The other gradually increases in intensity until magnetic midnight and thereafter maintains a high intensity level until dawn. Its spectrum is usually characterized by the presence of the first positive bands of N2. The mean diurnal intensity variation of the sodium emission suggests that the twilight enhancement of the sodium D-lines persists to much greater solar depression angles than those previously reported. Some evidence is found for a small auroral contribution to the sodium emission. This contribution is however erratic and does not correlate well with any specific auroral emission. The (OI) 6364A emission shows, as expected, a strong twilight enhancement persisting to large solar depression angles. No enhancement is observed for the (OI) 5577A emission. A weak correlation is found between the intensity of the hydrogen Balmer emissions and the occurrence of red auroras.