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A new source of auroral infrared emission observed by TIMED/SABER
Author(s) -
Mertens Christopher J.,
Fernandez Jose R.,
Xu Xiaojing,
Evans David S.,
Mlynczak Martin G.,
Russell James M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl034701
Subject(s) - infrared , context (archaeology) , physics , charge (physics) , astrophysics , atomic physics , computational physics , astronomy , geology , paleontology , quantum mechanics
We demonstrate for the first time that O 2 + + NO charge transfer produces NO + (v). This mechanism identifies a new source of auroral infrared emission at 4.3 μ m, which provides a major step forward in understanding auroral processes and a new context for understanding previously observed auroral enhancements in O 2 ( b 1 Σ g + ) and O 2 ( a 1 Δ g ) bands. The charge transfer process is identified by comparing physics‐based model simulations with NO + (v) volume emission rates derived from SABER 4.3 μ m limb emission measurements.