Nitric oxide production in collisions of hot O(3P) atoms with N2

Abstract

Energetic oxygen atoms play a central role in the heat and energy balance of the terrestrial thermosphere. The reaction between hot O(3P) atoms and N2 has been suggested as a source of shuttle glow in low-Earth orbits due to the formation of nitric oxide. We report cross sections and rate coefficients for the production of nitric oxide in the reaction between hot O(3P) atoms and N2 and show that vibrational excitation of N2 significantly enhances the reaction rate coefficients. Results are found to be in agreement with shock-tube experiments as well as with crossed molecular beam data. Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Union.