Alternative method for the thermospheric atomic oxygen density determination Original Research Article

Atomic oxygen density in the upper thermosphere (∼300 km) can be calculated using ground based incoherent scatter radar and Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements. Burnside (1991) was the first to try this method, but Buonsanto (1997) provided an extensive treatment of the method in 1997. This paper further examines the method using 46 nights of data collected over six years and the latest information on the oxygen collision frequency. The method is compared with the MSIS-86 atomic oxygen prediction values, which are based upon in situ rocket born and satellite measurements from the 70ʹs to the mid-80ʹs. In general, the method supports the MSIS-86 model, but indicates several areas of discrepancy. Furthermore, no direct correlation is found between the geomagnetic conditions and the difference between the method and MSIS-86 predictions.