Measurements of the NO&ggr;(1, 0) band resonance scattering distribution obtained with the Atmosphere Explorer D satellite have been inverted to generate maps of the meridional distribution of nitric oxide between 90 and 160 km. It is shown that the results are better organized in terms of geomagnetic rather than geographic latitudes, especially at high latitudes. In particular, the presence of an E region maximum associated with the summer auroral zone is clearly demonstrated. The existence below the NO peak of larger concentrations in the winter than in the summer hemisphere is also observed. Comparison between calculations and rocket observations of the 2143-¿ doublet emission indicates that the quantum yield of N+(5S) is considerably less than unity. The possible contamination of the observations by this emission is shown to be negligible in these observations.