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Nitric oxide concentration near the mesopause as deduced from ionospheric absorption measurements

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Abstract

Nitric oxide concentration in the upper D-region is estimated by comparing empirically derived ratios of Lyman-α and X-ray contributions to the total radio-wave absorption (2775 kHz. A3 method) in medium latitudes with model ratios. Typical NO concentrations are about 8.5×1013 m−3, at 90 km and 6.5×1013 m−3 at 78 km. These values are higher than generally accepted model NO concentrations, but lie within the broad range of experimental values.

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Laštovička, J. Nitric oxide concentration near the mesopause as deduced from ionospheric absorption measurements. PAGEOPH 120, 607–614 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00876646

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