The N I 8680- and 8629-¿ multiplets have been observed in the midlatitude dayglow during moderate-to-high solar activity. A rocket-borne near-infrared spectrometer of 13.4-¿ resolution recorded spectra between 120 and 219 km. Analysis yielded altitude profiles of emissions including the N2 first positive (1 PG) (2,1) band, the O2 atmospheric (0,1) and (1,2) bands, and the N I 8680- and 8629-¿ multiplets. Photoelectron impact models adequately described the measured 1 PG profile but significantly underestimated the N I multiplet emission rates. It is suggested that the primary source of the multiplets is photodissociation of N2. The contribution of this process was estimated from a model based on the shape of the N I 1200-¿ line's photoexcitation cross section. If the proposed excitation mechanism is correct, peak cross-section values for the 8680- and 8629-¿ multiplets would have to be 7.2¿5.2¿10-20 and 5.7¿3.2¿10-20 cm2, respectively.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union