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The stratospheric ozone related studies have been performed worldwide scientifically by investigating the cause of ozone layer destruction, the conservation of the ozone and regulation of ozone destroying materials. The decrease of the stratospheric ozone amount increases harmful UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface, resulting unwanted effects on human and ecosystem.
Because of its harmful effects and due to the enlargement of polar ozone hole, it is necessary to perform continuous monitoring of the variation of ozone amount and to understand the resultant variation of UV radiation that could bring harmful effects to ecosystem on the earth. These can be a foundation for more realistic research of understanding related scientific field because of the penetration of harmful UV radiation depending on the destruction of the ozone layer.
In polar region, the precipitation of high energy particles is frequent due to the configuration of geomagnetic field, which in turn yields sudden changes in the polar upper atmosphere. The Aurora is a visible manifestation of this process. When the upper atmosphere is disturbed, communication problem occurs and satellites (especially polar orbiting ones) are likely to change their trajectories which result in reduce of their lifetime. More recently, global change problem due to human activities are getting much attention and the Antarctic ozone loss yields to the restriction of human activities which threaten the ozone layer. |
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| The time series of UV radiation and its characteristic variations are studied using UV-Biometer and solar radiation data acquired at King Sejong station, and ozone data taken from satellite. The development of near IR spectrometer was carried out and the system was applied to measurements of upper mesospheric temperatures. The contents are as follows: |
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Installation of Brewer ozone spectrophotometer at King Sejong station and database of each data measur ed from instruments
Analyses of satellite ozone data, UV and solar radiations
Obtaining the principle and operational technics of FT-IR spectrometer and test measurements of upper me sospheric temperatures |
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1. There were no any distinct variations of horizontal global solar radiation, surface UV radiation and erythemal UV-B radiation in this period (1995 - 1997) as compared with the previous period (1995 - 1996). Erythemal UV-B radiation in December is larger than in November of 1997. This is an opposite result in contrast with that of the last study. Annual mean total ozone increased about 6% in this period. Erythemal UV-B radiation increased about 1.7% and 2.3% when solar zentith angle was 60° and 70°, respectively, with being decreased 1% of total ozone. This means that erythemal UV-B radiation to total ozone at King Sejong station is more sensitive than in Seoul of the northern mid-latitude.
2. Michelson interferometer was used to observe terrestrial nightglow (Meinel bands) emitted by Hydroxyl (OH) radicals in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Nightglow spectrums were observed at Ansan, Korea and the observed upper mesospheric temperatures are in the range of 160 K - 210 K, which is consistent with measurements observed in other places at similar latitude. |
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For the purpose of the study on stratospheric and upper atmospheric environmental monitoring in Antarctica, it is necessary to standardize and to make database of research results so as to be compared with data acquired in other areas continuously. It is also used to exchange data and related information globally, and to provide necessary contribution in predicting the variation of ozone layer and upper atmosphere environment and in preparing necessary steps.
The build-up technology throughout this work could be applied to other area of science such as environmental monitoring, and rocket-engine combustion monitoring. In addition, the understanding of space environment from the upper atmospheric research will provide the basic and essential information for the satellite operation, tele-communication and related space industry. | |
Research Activities > Major Topics > Ozone Layer and Upper Atmosphere
