Highly rotationally excited NO(v, J) in the thermosphere from CIRRIS 1A radiance measurements

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/94GL02284· OSTI ID:53983

Armstrong, P S; Dodd, J A ^[1]; Lipson, S J; Lowell, J R; Blumberg, W A.M.; Nadile, R M ^[2]

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1. Stewart Radiance Lab., Bedford, MA (United States)
2. Phillips Lab./Geophysics Directorate, Hanscom (Morocco)

Earthlimb spectra of thermospheric NO fundamental band emissions, obtained in the CIRRIS 1A Space Shuttle experiment, have been analyzed using nonlinear least-squares spectral fitting. Absolute NO(v{>=}1, J) column densities have been determined in the 100 to 260-km tangent height region and inverted to yield altitude-dependent number densities for both a rotationally thermalized and a high rotationally excited population component. Emissions from high-J levels are predicted to dominate the {Delta}v=2 overtone bands during the daytime. The rotationally excited population is found to decrease more at night than the rotationally thermalized component. In addition, radiance from the CO v=1{r_arrow}0 fundamental band is observed in the NO R-branch band head region, with greater relative importance at night. The derived CO rotational temperatures are significantly greater than modeled local kinetic temperatures. These results provide important inputs to models of NO(v, J) formation mechanisms, and of the chemistry, radiative processes, and energy budget of the thermosphere. 25 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 53983
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 22 Vol. 21; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
EXCITED STATES
LTE
NITRIC OXIDE
THERMOSPHERE