Quantum Mechanics and Planetary Atmospheres

It is aimed to solve a long-standing problem in molecular physics by establishing and quantifying the dissociation mechanisms for nitrogen in the extreme ultraviolet. This will be achieved through a leading international collaboration in which the results from laser- and synchrotron-based experiments are compared with state-of-the-art coupled-channel calculations. The principal outcome will be a novel quantum-mechanical model of nitrogen structure and dissociation dynamics which will be timely and essential for the proper analysis of NASA-mission obsrvations of nitrogen-rich planetary atmospheres, e.g., Triton (Voyager), Titan (Cassini, arriving 2004), and Pluto (New Horizons).