Spectrometric and imaging measurements of a spectacular gravity wave event observed during the ALOHA‐93 Campaign

During the ALOHA‐93 campaign coincident imaging and interferometric measurements of the near infrared and visible wavelength nightglow emissions were made from Haleakala Crater, Maui. On 10 October, 1993 a most unusual wave event was observed. This disturbance appeared as a sharp “front” followed by several conspicuous wave crests which progressed rapidly through the imager's field of view (180°). As the front passed overhead the interferometer detected a sudden jump in both the OH intensity (>50%) and its rotational temperature (∼20 K) with the temperature increase leading the intensity by almost 15 min. At the same time the imager registered a sharp decrease in the OI(557.7 nm) emission intensity. A description of this remarkable event follows.