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A model of the neutral and ion nitrogen chemistry in the daytime thermosphere of Venus
Author(s) -
Rusch D. W.,
Cravens T. E.
Publication year - 1979
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/gl006i010p00791
Subject(s) - thermosphere , venus , daytime , atmosphere of venus , nitrogen , atmospheric sciences , ion , atomic physics , ionosphere , physics , astrobiology , astronomy , quantum mechanics
Density profiles of N( 4 S)NON(²D)NO + and N + are calculated for the thermosphere of Venus. The results show that N( 4 S) is the dominant odd nitrogen species throughout the thermosphere and has a maximum density of 1.8 × 10 7 atoms cm −3 at 132 km. The calculated NO + density agrees well with recent Pioneer Venus measurements but the calculated N + densities are a factor of two to five less than the measurements. The production of N( 4 S) atoms generated in the model is adequate to explain recent measurements of the nitric oxide chemiluminescent emission on the night side of Venus.