CALCULATION OF AURORAL EMISSION RATES AND HEATING EFFECTS

The primary electron energy spectrum in an aurora has been determined by fitting the altitude profile of the 3914 Å emission. This spectrum has been degraded through the atmosphere and the secondary electron energy spectra have been calculated at various altitudes. From these spectra the excitation and emission rate profiles of many important lines have been calculated. These include the oxygen 5577 Å and 6300 Å lines and the N2 1st and 2nd positive and Vegard-Kaplan bands. The heat input to the ambient electrons and the resultant electron temperature have also been calculated. © 1968.