O\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e Vibrational Distribution in the Terrestrial Atmosphere

Calculations will be presented of the vibrational distribution of O2+ in the terrestrial thermosphere for conditions of both low and high solar activity. At 100km, quenching precludes the survival of vibrationally excited O2+. At 300km, about 50% of O2+ are in vibrational levels v≥1. The vibrational distribution is sensitive to the assumed values for the rate coefficient for quenching by atomic oxygen and for the vibrational distribution produced in the reaction O+ + O2 → O + O2+(v≤7). At high altitudes fluorescent scattering of radiation in the second negative system of 02+ is an important source of vibrationally excited 02+. The effects of vibrational excitation of 02+ on the chemistry and airglow will be discussed