Studies of Infrared Aurorae.
Abstract
Smithsonian researchers began their studies of infrared aurorae was studied by computing the rate of vibrational excitation of N2 by the impact of energetic electrons. Althrough the radiative lifetime of vibrationally excited N2 is long, infrared emission may appear as a result of V-V transfer from N2 to molecules which may radiate, such as CO2 and NO. A complete set of cross sections was compiled for electron impact excitation of vibrational levels v = 1 through v = 6 for the impact of electrons with energies from 2 to 200 eV. They found that for high electron energies and low fractional ionizations, about 6% of the total energy of the electron appears as vibrational excitation. Keywords: Nitrogen; Carbon Dioxide; Nitrogen Monoxide; Data analysis; Aurorae; Infrared radiation; Electron excitation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 03, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA179539
Entities
People
- Jane L. Fox
Organizations
- Utah State University