The chemistry of excited NO/+/ in an aurora

The six most significant production and seven most significant loss mechanisms are identified for NO/sup +/(a/sup 3/..sigma..) in the aurora. Rate constants are given for these reactions as well as for the 14 most important reactions competing with the production of NO/sup +/(a). Using available data and certain crucial deductions on chemical reaction rates to simulate a number of altitude profiles, we have concluded that the two predominant sources of NO/sup +/(a/sup 3/..sigma..) are probably N/sup +/+O/sub 2/..-->..NO/sup +/(a) +O and N/sub 2//sup +/+NO..-->..NO/sup +/(a)+N/sub 2/. Radiative decay is not the primary loss mechanism but can dominate above 150 km. Destruction via charge exchange with N/sub 2/ and O are most important below 150 km. Total radiation in the a/sup 3/..sigma..--X/sup 1/..sigma.. transition is estimated to be between 35 R and 350 R for a model aurora 0f 78 ergs cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/ energy input, which is nearly IBC III in intensity.

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