Observations of the Airglow Continuum

A programme of observations of the night sky continuum over the range 4100–8200 Å is described. In reducing the results careful consideration is given to the brightness and spectral distribution of the zodiacal light and integrated starlight, which are then subtracted from the total continuum to obtain the airglow. As well as confirming the existence of an airglow continuum, the results show evidence of discrete structure at certain wavelengths and a large increase in brightness in the near infra-red. A preliminary study of the temporal variations of the continuum was also made.