Behavior of the atomic oxygen 557.7 nm atmospheric emission in the solar cycle 23 Original Research Article

We present the results of nightglow observation of the atomic oxygen 557.7 nm line emission in the solar cycle 23. We use the experimental data obtained at Geophysical observatory near Irkutsk (52°N, 103°E), Russia, for the 1997–2006 period. The 557.7 nm emission observations data are compared with atmospheric and solar parameters. We note a difference in correlation coefficients between the 557.7 nm emission intensity and the solar activity indices in different phases of the solar cycle. Airglow observation results are compared with the observational data obtained by other authors. The obtained results show that the variations of 557.7 nm emission intensity are highly sensitive to atmospheric parameters and could be preliminary associated with the atmospheric dynamics and various disturbances including the effects from lower atmospheric layers. Probably, manifestation of these disturbances and their contribution to the 557.7 nm emission variations may differ in particular years or cycles of solar activity.