Study of the Role of Electronic Kinetics of N2 and O2 in Vibrational Kinetics and Infrared Radiational Balance in High-Latitude Lower Thermosphere and Mesosphere

It is shown that inelastic intramolecular and intermolecular electron energy transfer processes with the participation of electronically excited N2 and O2 at the altitudes of high-latitude lower thermosphere and mesosphere lead to the production of vibrationally excited molecules. Special attention is paid to the production of high vibrationally excited O2(X3) in intramolecular processes with O2 molecules excited to Herzberg states and intermolecular processes with the participation of "singlet oxygen". High vibrationally excited molecules and "singlet oxygen" at lowest v=0 levels could be as active reagents in atmospheric chemical processes. The role of high vibrationally excited oxygen molecules in infrared emissions of minor atmospheric components is discussed.