Development and validation of a ground-based Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy (ASHS) system for sounding neutral wind in the mesopause

Abstract

Winds in the mesopause region are key to understanding atmospheric dynamics. This study presents a novel ground-based Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy (ASHS) system designed to measure these winds by observing the nighttime green line airglow of atomic oxygen. The system's configuration, thermal behavior, and calibration procedures are detailed. The as-built configuration meets the performance expectations established during the design phase, enabling wind measurements with an accuracy better than 2 m s-1. Field observations from Mohe Station (53.5° N, 122.3° E) during geomagnetically quiet conditions demonstrate good agreement with co-located LiDAR data, validating the ASHS system's capability to derive mesopause winds from interferograms.