Atmospheric negative ion hydration derived from laboratory results and comparison to rocket‐borne measurements in the lower ionosphere

Recent laboratory results on the hydration of CO 3 − and HCO 3 − are extrapolated to atmospheric conditions to determine the extent of hydration of these ions in the stratosphere and lower ionosphere. Comparison with rocket‐borne measurements in the lower ionosphere is made. It is concluded that in the normal nighttime lower ionosphere, monohydrates or dihydrates of the atmospheric negative ions CO 3 − , HCO 3 − , and NO 3 − should be prevalent; however, the extent of hydration is sensitive to atmospheric temperature.