Abstract We have considered the impact of resonance fluorescense of solar EUV radiation by H2 on the distribution of the vibrational levels of H2 in the upper atmosphere of Saturn. This source has not been considered to date. It appears that, for v ≥ 3, this is the most important source, more important than those due to photoelectron induced fluorescence, recombination of molecular ions such as H3 +, and vibrational excitation of H2 by photoelectron impact. Based on the Voyager limb observations of H2 band emission we estimate that some of the higher vibrational levels may have effective temperatures ∼ 3500 K. Such high vibrational densities may have an impact on ionospheric densities.
Vibrationally excited H2 in the upper atmosphere of Saturn
Advances in Space Research ; 10 , 1 ; 131-134
01.01.1989
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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