First Sodium Nightglow Results for Natal

摘要

The first year of sodium nightglow observations from Natal are examined. Time variations appear to follow a pattern of their own, different from low latitude results. The major seasonal peak occurs in September to October and the average variation during the night decreases from dusk to dawn. Statistics on cloud coverage show that Natal has roughly only about 3 clear hours per night. The best observing period is April with an average of 5 clear hours per night.