| Global images have been made of the nitric oxide density at the 106 km level of the thermosphere from observations made by the ultraviolet spectrometer on the SNOE polar-orbiting satellite . These images show the following characteristics: (1) the largest densities occur at 65oS and 65oN geomagnetic latitude, (2) these high latitude densities are highly variable in time, and (3) the high latitude densities are variable in longitude. The nitric oxide is produced by the flux of the 1-10 keV electrons precipitating into the auroral zone. Since the flux of electrons is variable in space and time, the nitric oxide density is variable. Since the same physical process that produces the ntiric oxide also heats the atmosphere, the nitric oxide global images may be used to deduce th energy input into the thermosphere. |
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latitude-altitude plots
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global images
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time-latitude plot
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may 1998 storm
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november 1998 storm
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