Electron-Impact Excitation/Emission and Photoabsorption Cross Sections Important in the Terrestrial Airglow and Auroral Analysis of Rocket and Satellite Observations
摘要
The UV line intensities appearing in the spectra of terrestrial auroral and airglow observational data by rockets and high altitude satellites contain important diagnostic information on energy input taking place into the thermosphere. The intensities of the observed emissions are dependent on the atomic and molecular cross sections for both electrons and photons. UV extinction weakens the emission intensity along the line-of-sight to the spacecraft and is determined by the absorption cross sections of the principal constituents: O2, N2
and O. An accurate knowledge of both excitation (emission) and photoabsorption cross sections of the dominant atmospheric molecular gases (O2 and N2) is needed for the analysis and interpretation of rocket and satellite observations of airglow and auroral emissions. The absorption cross sections of O2 and N2 are difficult to measure since they are highly structured in the UV from predissociation of Rydberg and valence states.
and O. An accurate knowledge of both excitation (emission) and photoabsorption cross sections of the dominant atmospheric molecular gases (O2 and N2) is needed for the analysis and interpretation of rocket and satellite observations of airglow and auroral emissions. The absorption cross sections of O2 and N2 are difficult to measure since they are highly structured in the UV from predissociation of Rydberg and valence states.