Abstract
THE presence of atomic nitrogen1,2 in auroras is now proved beyond doubt by the identifications of the forbidden lines λ 3466 (2P → 4S) and λ 5200–5198 (2D → 4S). No specific processes for the dissociation of the nitrogen molecules or for the excitation of the nitrogen atoms appear to have been yet suggested. It is the purpose of this communication to show that dissociative recombination of N2+(X′) ions, as shown in reaction (1), can, at the same time, cause dissociation of nitrogen molecules and excitation of the resulting nitrogen atoms to the required metastable states.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Tcheng-Mao-Lin and Dufay, J., “Cahiers de Physique”, No. 8, 51 (1942).
Bernard, R., Gassiot Committee Report (1947), 91 (Physical Society, London, 1948).
Gaydon, A. G., Nature, 153, 407 (1944).
Mitra, S. K., Science and Culture (Calcutta), 9, 46 (1943); Observatory, 65, 13 (1945).
Nicolet, M., Ciel et Terre, 61, 287 (1945).
Bates, D. R., Phys. Rev., 78, 492 (1950).
Mitra, S. K., Nature, 157, 692 (1946).
Bates, D. R., Massey, H. S. W., and Pearse, R. W. G., Gassiot Committee Report (1947), 97 (Physical Society, London, 1948).
Mitra, S. K., “Active Nitrogen—A New Theory” (Joykissen Mookerjee Medal Lecture), Ind. Assoc. Cultiv. Sci., Jadavpur, Calcutta (1945); Nature, 154, 212 (1944).
Kaplan, J., Phys. Rev., 73, 494 (1948).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MITRA, S. Atomic Nitrogen in Auroras. Nature 167, 897 (1951). https://doi.org/10.1038/167897a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/167897a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.