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Chapman's airglow mechanism resurrected?
Author(s) -
Schofield Keith
Publication year - 1993
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 - 10.1029/93gl03150
Subject(s) - airglow , meteor (satellite) , mechanism (biology) , kinetic energy , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , environmental science , physics , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics
A reanalysis is summarized of a previously unquestioned, sole source of kinetic data, on the reaction of NaO with O‐atom. It is apparent that there are significant uncertainties in the kinetic mechanism of the experiments. Moreover, it appears plausible that these reaction rate data do not relate to NaO but rather to Na 2 O. This conclusion has the potential for resolving a dilemma concerning the chemiluminescent excitation mechanism of sodium in the airglow and in long duration meteor trails. It remains conceivable that Chapman's originally suggested scheme is valid and recently proposed alternative explanations invoking a role for NaO(A²Σ + ) are unnecessary.