Infrared emission from the electron irradiated upper atmosphere produced by the Excede: Spectral experiment

This paper presents the results and interpretation of infrared data obtained by the Excede:Spectral auroral simulation experiment. We have analyzed 2‐ to 7‐μm data from the two circular variable filter spectrometers. The dominant N 2 electronic transition system identified in the data across this region is the N 2 ( W ³Δ u ν≤5→ B ³Π g ,ν≤3) band system which is observed at all altitudes. Nitric oxide fundamental emission is observed in the 5‐ to 7‐μm region. The determined NO vibrational distribution can be attributed to the reaction N(² D ) + O 2 .