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Excitation of O(1D) atoms in aurorae and emission of the forbidden OI 6300-A lineThe electron aurora leads to six processes capable of exciting the O(1D2) metastable state of the atomic-oxygen ground-state configuration, the parent state of the 6300-A red line. Altitude profiles of the volume emission rate resulting from each process are computed for Maxwellian electron spectra with characteristic energies between 0.1 and 2.0 keV. Since each process peaks at a different altitude, the sum or total volume emission rate extends over a wide altitude range. Measurements of 6300-A emission obtained by rocket and satellite-borne instruments are summarized, and it is shown that the chemical reaction of N(2D) with O2 is the major source of O(1D) atoms in the electron aurora. New calculations of the 6300-A:4728-A column emission-rate ratio are presented for a range of characteristic energies in an assumed Maxwellian electron spectrum. An approximate equation for the red-line emission per unit energy input is given as a function of electron-spectrum characteristic energy.
Document ID
19870048079
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rees, M. H.
(Alaska, University Fairbanks, United States)
Roble, R. G.
(High Altitude Observatory Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Canadian Journal of Physics
Volume: 64
ISSN: 0008-4204
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
87A35353
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-83-12883
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-471
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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