Photochemical modeling of molecular and atomic oxygen based on multiple <i>in-situ</i> emissions measured during the Energy Transfer in the Oxygen Nightglow rocket campaign

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Electronically excited states of molecular and atomic oxygen (six of O<sub>2</sub> and two of O) were implemented in the proposed Multiple Airglow Chemistry (MAC) model as minor species coupled with each other as well as with the ground states of O<sub>2</sub> and O to represent the photochemistry in the upper Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region. The MAC model is proposed combining chemical processes of the well-known photochemical models related to identified O<sub>2</sub> and O species and some additional processes. Concentrations of excited O<sub>2</sub> and O species were retrieved using the MAC model on the basis of the multiple <i>in-situ</i> nightglow emissions measured during the Energy Transfer in the Oxygen Nightglow (ETON) rocket campaign. The proposed retrieval procedure to obtain concentrations of these MLT minor species is implemented avoiding <i>a priori</i> data sets. Unknown and poorly constrained reaction rates were tuned and reaction rates of the well-known models were updated with the MAC model comparing <i>in-situ</i> and evaluated emission profiles as well as <i>in-situ</i> and retrieved O concentration profiles. As a result, precursors of O<sub>2</sub> and O species responsible for transitions considered in the MAC model are identified and validated by calculations with the MAC model.</p>