Quantitative spectra have been obtained of aurora in continuous scans from 7500 ¿ to 11,400 ¿ with a spectrometer using an S-1 photomultiplier. Spectra were obtained of bright and very bright aurora. Significant differences were found between these spectra in the ratio of the N2+ Meinel system and the N I 3F multiplet to the N2 first positive system. These differences are interpreted as quenching effects, and it is estimated on the basis of published values of the quenching rate coefficients that the two spectra spanned a range of 12--18 km in mean excitation heights. These spectra are compared with earlier ones from weaker aurora estimated to originate from still greater heights. From these results we derive reliable values for the relative populations or population rates of N2B3II and N2+A2II states in aurora for &ngr;'?5. The values found agree better with theory than previous values based on higher resolution but discontinuous spectra. No variation with height was found in the relative vibrational population rates for either system.