Observations of 2‐dimensional airglow structure and Na density from the ALOHA, October 9, 1993 ‘storm flight’

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Abstract
On October 9, 1993, observations were made from the NCAR Electra aircraft during a 7 hour flight towards a tropospheric low pressure system NW of Maui. A very bright (>50% intensity amplitude) OH wave (∼200 km horizontal wavelength) was encountered ∼900 km NW of Maui. The OH volume weighted Na column density measured by the lidar increased 4‐fold at the same location. OH imagery showed the wave phase front was aligned NE‐SW, similar to the tropospheric airmass boundary which was located ∼2000 km NW of Maui. This ‘wall’ wave had an apparent phase velocity (vϕ) of 75 ms−1 toward the SE and was observed overhead Haleakala, Maui ∼3 1/4 hours later. The ‘wall’ appeared to represent the southern boundary for an extensive short horizontal wavelength structure, with a similar phase front alignment. This structure had weak amplitudes initially but was fully developed ∼1 hour after encountering the wall. The details of OH imagery, intensity, and Na structure associated with this event are summarized.