The Sodium Nightglow

Jae R. Ballif University of California, Los Angeles

Search for other papers by Jae R. Ballif in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
and
S. V. Venkateswaran University of California, Los Angeles

Search for other papers by S. V. Venkateswaran in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Abstract

The chemiluminescent reaction responsible for the nightglow in the sodium D lines is embedded in the complex kinetics of an oxygen-hydrogen atmosphere. Various possibilities of identifying this reaction from observational studies are considered. It is suggested that an important clue may be found in the time-variations of the height-integrated glow-intensity.

Abstract

The chemiluminescent reaction responsible for the nightglow in the sodium D lines is embedded in the complex kinetics of an oxygen-hydrogen atmosphere. Various possibilities of identifying this reaction from observational studies are considered. It is suggested that an important clue may be found in the time-variations of the height-integrated glow-intensity.

Save