THE INTENSITIES OF ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR FEATURES IN THE AURORAL SPECTRUM

Abstract

A considerable number of auroral spectrograms (dispersion 85–28 Å/mm.) have been analyzed with a recording microphotometer, and integrated intensities obtained for the main features. Relative population rates of the relevant levels are determined from the measured intensities. Excitation mechanisms are discussed and the absence from the spectra of certain low level atomic lines does not appear to be anomalous. It seems that atomic lines are emitted as the results of several processes, while the ionic lines are produced during simultaneous ionization and excitation through electron exchange. Vibrational temperatures of First Negative, First Positive, and Second Positive nitrogen bands are comouted.