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Identification of Stratospheric NH

Abstract

BREWER et al. 1 recently reported enhanced absorption at λ3242 ± 2 Å in spectrophotometric measurements on stratospheric ozone in Toronto and Jamaica. The very close wavelength coincidence with the R-head of the (O,O) band of the c1π–a1Δ band system of NH led me to suggest that they also make measurements at λ3360 Å, which is the location of the strongest NH feature, the Q-head of the (O,O) band of the A3π–X3Σ resonance system. Brewer et al. observed enhanced absorption at this wavelength also1 and concluded that there was an absorbing layer, probably of NH, in the 40–50 km region of the stratosphere.

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NICHOLLS, R. Identification of Stratospheric NH. Nature Physical Science 240, 142–143 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci240142a0

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