Volume 45 Issue 5
Oct.  2025
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Article Navigation >  Chinese Journal of Space Science  > 2025  >  45(5): 1358-1375 Open Access
LI Zheng, WU Xiaocheng, HU Xiong, YAN Zhaoai. Applications and Advances of Stellar Occultation Technique in Atmospheric Oxygen Density Measurement (in Chinese). Chinese Journal of Space Science, 2025, 45(5): 1358-1375 doi: 10.11728/cjss2025.05.2025-0083
Citation: LI Zheng, WU Xiaocheng, HU Xiong, YAN Zhaoai. Applications and Advances of Stellar Occultation Technique in Atmospheric Oxygen Density Measurement (in Chinese). Chinese Journal of Space Science, 2025, 45(5): 1358-1375 doi: 10.11728/cjss2025.05.2025-0083
shu

Applications and Advances of Stellar Occultation Technique in Atmospheric Oxygen Density Measurement

doi: 10.11728/cjss2025.05.2025-0083 cstr: 32142.14.cjss.2025-0083
  • 1.

    Sate Key Laboratory of Solar Activity and Space Weather, National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190

  • 2.

    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049

  • Received Date: 2025-05-29
  • Rev Recd Date: 2025-07-30
    • Available Online: 2025-07-30
    Abstract
  • Density of atmospheric oxygen in the near space is a key parameter for studying the Earth’s atmospheric structure, thermodynamic properties, and space weather processes, offering significant scientific and practical value for studying atmospheric modeling and space object orbit prediction. However, traditional observation methods have limitations in vertical resolution, global coverage, and long-term monitoring. Solar and stellar occultation, as a passive remote sensing technique, provides a unique solution for oxygen density measurement by analyzing the absorption features of sunlight or starlight passing through the atmosphere. This technique has developed a dual-band detection system operating in the ultraviolet Schumann-Runge absorption bands (140～160 nm) and the near-infrared A-band (760 nm). The ultraviolet band, with its strong absorption characteristics, is suitable for probing the upper atmosphere above 130 km, while the infrared A-band enables simultaneous retrieval of oxygen density, temperature, and pressure within the 10～85 km range through high-resolution spectral analysis. Nevertheless, challenges such as temperature sensitivity and effects of lower atmospheric turbulence still need to be addressed. This paper for the first systematically compares the complementary advantages of ultraviolet and infrared bands in oxygen detection, outlines the technical evolution across multiple generations of instruments from OAO-2 to GOLD, and discusses future development directions. Not only does this review provide a technical reference for atmospheric remote sensing research, but it also highlights the potential of dual-band synergistic detection, offering guidance for the design of next-generation atmospheric observation missions.

     

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