Large quasi‐periodic fluctuations are observed simultaneously in the rotational temperature of the nightglow emission from both O 2 (¹Σ g ) and OH. The fluctuation amplitude usually is several times larger in the former and the O 2 (¹Σ g ) fluctuations often lead those of OH in phase. This behavior is consistent with that expected for internal gravity waves propagating upward over the ˜ 10 km vertical separation between the two emission layers. The most prominent periods are 1‐2 hours and the full range of oscillation in temperature at 95 km sometimes approaches 100° K.
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J. F. Noxon (1978) studied this question.