Determination of the rate coefficient for the N2++ O Reaction in the ionosphere

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Using approximately 400 simultaneous measurements of ion and neutral densities and temperatures, and the spectrum of the solar flux measured by the Atmosphere Explorer C satellite, we have determined the rate constant k1 for the reaction between N2+ and O in the ionosphere for ion temperatures between 600° and 700°K. We find that k1 = 1.1 × 10−10 cm³ s−1, with a standard deviation of ±15%. If we use the temperature dependence for this reaction determined in the laboratory, namely, k1 ∝ (300/Ti)0.44, then at 300°K we find that k1 = 1.4 × 10−10 cm³ s−1, in excellent agreement with the recommended laboratory value.