Energy Distribution of Fast Nitrogen Atoms in the Nighttime Terrestrial Thermosphere,

Abstract

Energetic nitrogen atoms play a significant role in the chemistry and thermal balance of the thermosphere. The nocturnal energy distribution is calculated and the importance of including the center of mass motion is demonstrated. The center of mass motion gives rise to an extended component of fast atoms. The calculation of energy distribution includes the loss of energetic nitrogen atoms in reaction with molecular oxygen. The density of energetic atoms and their energy distribution are strong functions of local time, altitude, and latitude.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 24, 1995
Accession Number
ADA300666

Entities

People

  • A. Dalgarno
  • Rajesh Sharma
  • V. A. Kharchenko
  • Y Sun

Organizations

  • Phillips Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Astrophysics
  • Chemistry
  • Grids
  • Latitude
  • Nitrogen
  • Teamwork
  • Thermosphere

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.