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N2 positive and N2/+/ band systems and the energy spectra of auroral electrons.Use of the relative emission rates of the auroral N2 positive and N2(+) band systems to limit the permissible range of differential electron fluxes in auroras, due to remarkable differences in electron excitation functions for the two kinds of systems. Use of recently measured electron cross sections and many observational data from ground based and rocket studies shows that the results are consistent with spectra equivalent to a power law E to the minus 1.4 power for primaries and secondaries combined. The unified primary spectra of Rees (1969) and secondary spectra of Rees et al. (1969) fail seriously to predict the optical ratios. It is shown that Rees' primary spectrum is deficient in slow primaries, owing to the use of defective Monte Carlo results of Maeda (1965). Doubt is thereby cast on the validity of experimental results for the differential spectrum below 50 eV reported by Feldman et al. (1971) because of the rapid decrease in flux with energy shown by those measurements.
Document ID
19720050968
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Shemansky, D. E.
Donahue, T. M.
Zipf, E. C., Jr.
(Pittsburgh, University Pittsburgh, Pa., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1972
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 20
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
72A34634
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DA-31-124-ARO(D)-440
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF GA-1237
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-39-011-113
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF GA-18224
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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