Accession Number:

AD0770802

Title:

Balloon-Borne Spectroscopic Measurement of Stratospheric Methane,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT VALCARTIER QUEBEC

Personal Author(s):

• Cumming,C.
• Lowe,R. P.

Report Date:

1973-02-07

Pagination or Media Count:

8.0

Abstract:

The absorption due to the v3 band of methane at a wavelength of 3.3 micrometer has been observed in solar spectra taken with a ballon-borne monochromator during its ascent from 13 to 28 km and during the float period at peak altitude until sunset. Measurements of the equivalent widths of the R5 and R6 lines were used in a single-layer iterative calculation to determine methane abundance as a function of altitude. The Voigt line profile was used throughout. The mixing ratio obtained during the ascent decreases from 0.9 ppmv parts per million by volume at 13km to 0.7 ppmv at 28 km. The variation of equivalent width with solar zenith angle during the float period is interpreted to indicate a rapid decline in mixing ratio above 28 km. Author

Descriptors:

• *Methane
• *Atmospheric sounding
• *Stratosphere
• Infrared spectra
• Canada
• Concentration(Composition)

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE