Measurement of the OH rotational temperature at Mawson,East Antarctica

Measurements of the hydroxyl rotational temperature for the (8, 3) Meinel band are reported for observations made at Mawson, East Antarctica (67° 36′ S, 62° 53′ E) over the austral winter of 1979. Mean values of the rotational temperature are given for 54 nights. The average value lies in the range 160–170 K. The measured temperatures appear lower than those that have been reported at similar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. A gradual decrease in the value of the temperature throughout the course of the evening is the only diurnal trend observed. There is little evidence for any impulsive heating associated with auroral activity.