Kinetic parameters for OH nightglow modeling consistent with recent laboratory measurements

An improved kinetic model for the Meinel bands of OH has been constructed from rate constants and Einstein A coefficients derived in recent laboratory experiments. Using a semiempirical parameterization of the state-to-state rate constants for OH(v) quenching by O-2, the absolute OH(v) nightglow radiances are modeled to within the accuracies of the atmospheric constituent concentrations and the radiometric calibrations. Collisional quenching is found to be predominantly multiquantum at high v but single-quantum at low v.