High Altitude Atomic Nitrogen Densities.
Abstract
Theoretical calculations of the seasonal and diurnal variations of atomic nitrogen are compared to measurements made by the open source neutral mass spectrometer on the AE-C satellite. Using as input the simultaneous measurements of molecular nitrogen and atomic oxygen densities, the calculations of odd nitrogen densities made with the NRL ionosphere model predict the same trends in atomic nitrogen as those observed. Estimates are given of the sensitivity of atomic nitrogen densities to variations in the photoelectron flux, the neutral temperatures, and the neutral winds. We find that within the range of uncertainties in these quantities, the magnitude of the calculated and observed atomic nitrogen densities are in good agreement. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA047403
Entities
People
- D. F. Strobel
- Elaine Oran
- K. Mauersberger
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory