AN EVALUATION OF THE RATE OF ABSORPTION OF SOLAR-RADIATION IN THE O2(X3-SIGMA-G-!B1-SIGMA-G) TRANSITION

The rate at which molecular oxygen absorbs radiation in the O2(X3SIGMA (g)-->b1SIGMA(g)) transition is calculated using a line-by-line radiat ive transfer model. This rate is critical to the determination of the population of the O2(b1SIGMA(g)) state required for studies of the O2( b1SIGMA(g)-->X3SIGMA(g)) dayglow, the O2(a1DELTA(g)-->X3SIGMA(g)) dayg low, and possibly the rates of oxidation of H-2 and N2O. Previous eval uations of this rate (which is sometimes called the g-factor) have sig nificantly overestimated its value. The rate is tabulated as a functio n of altitude, pressure, and solar zenith angle.