The Aeronomy of Odd Nitrogen in the Thermosphere. II. Twilight Emissions.
Abstract
The previously developed model by Oran et al. (1975) for the aeronomy of odd nitrogen in the thermosphere is used to analyze AE data on N(doublet D) and NO published by Rusch et al. (1975) and the twilight NO emission data of Feldman and Takacs (1974). It is concluded that most NO(+) dissociative recombination events must produce N(doublet D), that N(doublet D) is quenched by O with a rate of 1 x 10 to the 12th power cc/sec, and that the atmospheric O2 quenching rate of N(doublet D) is consistent with the laboratory rate. The major quenching agent of N(doublet D) between 140 and 220 km is atomic oxygen, and this reaction is the major source of N(quadruplet S). The authors predict peak N(quadruplet S) densities about (2-6) x 10 to the 7th power/cc at 140-150 km, with the variability indicative of the model sensitivity to a factor of 2 change in the O/O2 ratio in the thermosphere. The model accurately simulates the twilight emission data of Feldman and Takacs (1974).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA014207
Entities
People
- Darrell F. Strobel
- Elaine Oran
- P. D. Feldman
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory