| Abstract: | The hydroperoxyl radical (HO(2)) plays a key role in stratospheric chemistry through the HOx catalytic cycle of ozone destruction. Earlier measurements of stratospheric HO(2) have given mixed results; some measured mixing ratios greatly exceed theoretical predictions. Measurements of HO(2) have now been made with a balloon-borne farinfrared spectrometer. The measured daytime profile is in excellent agreement with theory up to 40 kilometers; above this level the measurements exceed theory by 30 percent, perhaps because of underprediction of ozone at these altitudes. The nighttime HO(2) profile is strongly depressed with respect to the daytime profile, in general agreement with theory. |
