Visible spectroscopy at McMurdo Station, Antarctica: 1. Overview and daily variations of NO₂ and O₃, Austral Spring, 1986

Abstract

Observations of the visible spectra of the sun and moon were obtained at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, during austral spring in 1986. The data coverage and observing conditions are described. Daily variations of ozone suggest that the bulk of the springtime ozone depletion (or the Antarctic ozone “hole”) occurs rapidly during early September. Total NO 2 abundances were less than about 1×10 15 cm −2 during August and September inside the polar vortex and displayed a near‐absence of diurnal variation from morning to evening twilight. The total NO 2 column abundance was closely correlated to 50‐mbar temperatures.