1. Excitation Mechanism for the Atomic Oxygen and OH Emissions in the Night Airglow
- Author
-
H. I. Schiff
- Subjects
chemistry.chemical_compound ,Ozone ,Chemistry ,Excited state ,Airglow ,Atomic oxygen ,General Chemistry ,Atomic physics ,Excitation ,Ion ,Line (formation) - Abstract
The detailed mechanisms for excitation of all the night glow emissions remain very much in doubt. The green atomic oxygen line appears to be excited by a modification of the Chapman mechanism, although recent laboratory studies still show some inconsistent features. The red atomic oxygen line most likely results from the atomic exchange reaction between 0+ ions and either N2 or O2. However, comparison of laboratory measurements and airglow observations suggests these reactions have low pre-exponential factors. Recent laboratory measurements and Nicolet's estimate of the H-atom concentration at 85 km indicate that the reaction between H-atoms and ozone remains the most attractive process for excitation of the OH emission. It is shown that the mechanisms suggested by Krassovsky are not as likely as the H — O3 process.
- Published
- 2010
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