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The latitudinal gradient of nitric oxide in the thermosphereTheoretical calculations of nitric oxide altitude profiles are made at five different latitudes by using neutral temperatures and composition primarily from the MSIS (mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter) model. The nitric oxide calculated for an altitude of 105 km remains nearly constant with increasing latitude. Observations made by the ultraviolet nitric oxide instrument on the Atmosphere Explorer C satellite show that at low magnetic activity (Ap value of approximately 4), the NO density at 105 km agrees with the theory; however, at moderate levels of activity it increases with latitude. This discrepancy between the theoretical and observed latitudinal gradients of nitric oxide suggests the transport of NO from a high latitude source to lower latitudes. At 200 km the theoretical and observed latitudinal gradients are in reasonable agreement, an indication that the knowledge of the local composition and temperature is sufficient to model nitric oxide at this altitude.
Document ID
19790056606
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cravens, T. E.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, Mich., United States)
Gerard, J.-C.
(Liege, Universite Institut d'Astrophysique, Cointe-Ougree, Belgium)
Stewart, A. I.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Rusch, D. W.
(Colorado, University Boulder, Colo., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 84
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
79A40619
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-5171
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-06-003-127
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-23006
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-23-005-015
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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