[en] Auroral spectra have been obtained in the 3380- to 3560-A region to study the forbidden N I 4S-2P doublet at 3466 A. The forbidden N I 3466 A/N2 Vegard-Kaplan ratio is found to remain constant. This is in agreement with the results of a model calculation showing that the dominant source of N(2P) atoms is dissociative excitation of N2 by fast electrons, and the major quenching agent is atomic oxygen. A value of about 5 x 10 to the 9th/cu cm sec is deduced for the ratio of the N(2P) quantum yield to the atomic oxygen deactivation coefficient.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Gérard, Jean-Claude ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Labo de physique atmosphérique et planétaire (LPAP)
Harang, O. E.; Auroral Observatory, Tromso, Norway
Language :
English
Title :
Metastable N/2P/ atoms in the aurora
Publication date :
01 April 1980
Journal title :
Journal of Geophysical Research
ISSN :
0148-0227
eISSN :
2156-2202
Publisher :
American Geophysical Union (AGU), Washington, United States
