Abstract
Density profiles of N(4S)NON(²D)NO+ and N+ are calculated for the thermosphere of Venus. The results show that N(4S) is the dominant odd nitrogen species throughout the thermosphere and has a maximum density of 1.8 × 107 atoms cm−3 at 132 km. The calculated NO+ density agrees well with recent Pioneer Venus measurements but the calculated N+ densities are a factor of two to five less than the measurements. The production of N(4S) atoms generated in the model is adequate to explain recent measurements of the nitric oxide chemiluminescent emission on the night side of Venus.
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