| This thesis concerns the analysis of all-sky airglow image data. The basic airglow chemistry and linear gravity wave theory is reviewed. A model for the image data is presented as well as a method for the analysis of the data in both the spatial and frequency domains.; The CU All-Sky Imager, which is a new addition to Cornell's array of remote sensing instruments, was developed to be a portable and remotely controllable airglow observatory as part of this dissertation. Data taken with this imager from the mid latitude sites of Puerto Rico, Hawaii and New York are presented and analyzed.; The mesospheric data show a predominance of ripple-like small scale structure with wavelengths generally less than 20 km. In addition, a series of sharp fronts were observed and are discussed in the context of a recently proposed theory attributing them to mesospheric bores.; The thermospheric data presented show that, contrary to what has generally been believed, the thermosphere at magnetic mid-latitudes is not quiescent. Routinely, southwest-aligned structures are evident. These structures often appear to be wave-like, indicating the possible involvement of a neutral wave. The Perkins instability is presented as a possible explanation for the existence of these structures.; During the two most geomagnetically active nights (Kp > 6), the thermospheric airglow emission erupted into spectacular displays. These data sets represent the first time that such intricate substructure was captured with an airglow imager. Supporting data from a variety of satellite and ground-based instruments show that the magnetic storm conditions caused elevated plasma densities over Arecibo, and it is postulated that these conditions helped amplify the Perkins and gradient drift instabilities. |
