The reaction of N/2D/ with O2 as a source of O/1D/ atoms in aurorae

Rusch, D. W.; Sharp, W. E.; Gerard, J.-C.

The source of O(1D) atoms in the auroral ionosphere is investigated using sounding rocket data. Previously, it has been shown that the conventional sources of O(1D) atoms in the aurora, dissociative recombination of O2(plus) and electron impact excitation of atomic oxygen, fail to explain the measured 6300 A volume emission rate profile. It is suggested that the atom-atom interchange reaction of N(2D) with O2 can be the major source of auroral 6300 A emission if O(1D) is created with high efficiency.

Document ID

19790033924

Document Type

Reprint (Version printed in journal)

Authors

Rusch, D. W. (Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)

Sharp, W. E. (Michigan, University Ann Arbor, Mich., United States)

Gerard, J.-C. (Michigan, University Ann Arbor, Mich.; Liege, Universite, Institut d'Astrophysique, Cointe-Ougree, Belgium)

Date Acquired

August 9, 2013

Publication Date

December 1, 1978

Publication Information

Publication: Geophysical Research Letters

Volume: 5

Subject Category

Funding Number(s)

Distribution Limits

Public

Other

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server