Abstract
THE layer of sodium atoms present in the atmosphere at a height of about 90 km has been extensively studied by observations of the resonance scattering of sunlight in daytime and twilight1. Rocket measurements of the daytime height distribution of the resonance radiation2,3 have shown that the simple photochemical model based on the equilibrium between Na and NaO must be modified. In recent discussion of models involving a dust layer as a source of sodium4, attention has been drawn to the need for data on the night time abundance and distribution of atomic sodium. We report preliminary measurements at night by a new optical radar.
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BOWMAN, M., GIBSON, A. & SANDFORD, M. Atmospheric Sodium measured by a Tuned Laser Radar. Nature 221, 456–457 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/221456a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/221456a0
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