The possible effects of translationally excited nitrogen atoms on lower thermospheric odd nitrogen

In the quiet lower thermosphere, photolysis of N₂ produces translationally excited $\text{N}\text{(}{}^4\text{S}\text{)}$ and $\text{N}\text{(}{}^2\text{D}\text{)}$ atoms. A fraction of these $\text{N}\text{(}{}^4\text{S}\text{)}$ atoms may react rapidly with O₂ while still translationally hot. This results in substantially larger calculated NO densities than those obtained if translational excitation is not considered. The sensitivity of the calculated NO density in the lower thermosphere to this process is examined.