Ultraviolet nightglow production near the magnetic equator by neutral particle precipitation

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Abstract
The near‐midnight latitudinal (±45) distribution of the O I 911‐Å, 1304‐Å, and 1356‐Å emissions, observed by the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometer on the STP 78‐1 satellite, have been analyzed and compared as a function of geomagnetic activity. The dominant source of these emissions is radiative recombination of atomic oxygen ions; however, for geomagnetically disturbed periods, excess O I 1304‐Å and 1356‐Å emission is observed within ±5° of the dip equator. Neutral particle precipitation from the ring current is discussed as a possible source of the excess O I 1304‐Å and 1356‐Å emission.