N2 emission in the twilight

About a year's observations of the N₂⁺ band (3914 Å) at Kitt Peak (latitude 32°) are reported. Morning intensities are the same throughout the year, but there is a strong winter maximum in the evening. It is suggested that the additional ionization is produced by photoelectrons from the magnetic conjugate point. Heights are estimated by the zenith-horizon method, which gives 235 km for the constant component and 350 km during the evening enhancement. The intensity variation through twilight is therefore entirely due to changes of the N₂⁺ concentration; each ion scatters light at a constant rate. The rotational distribution resembles that for a temperature of 1600°K, much higher than the temperature of the atmosphere. It is suggested that part of the ions may be produced by charge transfer from metastable O⁺(²D). N₂⁺ concentrations resulting from photoionization are calculated; they give a fair account of the observed horizon intensities, but not the zenith. Non-local electrons from higher in the atmosphere are suggested as a possible extra source; alternatively, the zenith measurements may be perturbed by scattered horizon light. The band intensity in the nightglow cannot be measured; the upper limit is 1 R.