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Beer, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Beer, R..

At least 55 records · Page 3

Cooled echelle grating spectrometer

A cooled echelle grating spectrometer for detecting wavelengths between one micron and fifteen microns is disclosed. More specifically, the spectrometer has a cross-dispersing grating for ordering infrared energy and an echelle grating for further ordering of the infrared energy. Ordered radiation from the echelle grating is sensed by a detecting means. Also disclosed is use of a Schmidt camera for focusing the further ordered radiation from the echelle grating onto a detector array having individual detectors dispersed on a plane which substantially corresponds to a curved focal plane of the Schmidt camera. A spectrometer constructed according to the teachings of the present invention will continuously cover the spectrum between one micron and fifteen microns and have a resolution of 0.1/cm.

Beer, R.

High-resolution spectrometer

Proposed spectrometer combines optical and imaging devices and cryogenic cooling to measure infrared radiation in 1-to-15 micrometer wavelength range with spatial resolution of 1 arc-second and average spectral resolution of about 0.1 cm(-1). Compact, lightweight unit is suitable for laboratory or field use. Pollution monitoring is possible application.

Beer, R.

Infrared radiometer for the Pioneer Venus orbiter. I - Instrument description

A ten-channel IR radiometer for the Pioneer Venus orbiter is described. The experimental techniques used and the design of the instrumentation by which they were implemented are considered. Emphasis is placed on temperature sounding, limb sounding, limb darkening, zenith scanning, cloud top temperature, spectral albedo and water vapor measurements. Instrumentation description is also given including optics, detectors, and electronics. Attention is given to data acquisition and handling, calibration, and in-flight performance.

Taylor, F. W.

Phosphine absorption in the 5-micron window of Jupiter

Since the original suggestion by Gillett et al. (1969) it has generally been assumed that the region of partial transparency near 5 micron in Jupiter's atmosphere (the 5-micron window) is bounded by the nu sub 4 NH3 at 6.1 micron and the nu sub 3 CH4 band at 3.3 micron. New measurements of Jupiter and of laboratory phosphine (PH3) samples show that PH3 is a significant contributor to the continuum opacity in the window and in fact defines its short-wavelength limit. This has important implications for the use of 5-micron observations as a means to probe the deep atmospheric structure of Jupiter. The abundance of PH3 which results from a comparison of Jovian and laboratory spectra is about 3 to 5 cm-am. This is five to eight times less than that found by Larson et al. (1977) in the same spectral region, but is in good agreement with the result of Tokunaga et al. (1979) from 10-micron observations.

Beer, R.

The abundance of carbon monoxide in Jupiter

Spectra of Jupiter in the 5-micron window region have been acquired. From these it is deduced that (1) the presence of CO in Jupiter is verified; (2) the column abundance is approximately 0.016 cm amagat (identical to 4.3 by 10 to the 17th power mol/sq cm); and (3) the CO is probably nonuniformly mixed in the atmosphere, being concentrated into the stratosphere.

Beer, R.

The D/H and C/H ratios in Jupiter from the CH3D phase

A study is made of D/H and C/H ratios in Jupiter from the CH3D phase, noting the previous investigations have yielded inconsistent results. Spectra are analyzed by a comprehensive comparison with realistically computed synthetic spectra generated by the numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation for inhomogeneous Jovian and telluric atmospheric models. Results are presented in terms of: (1) the apparent enhancement of both D and C in Jupiter, (2) the apparent deuterium overabundance, and (3) the variability of the CH3D column abundance.

Beer, R.

A high-resolution infrared spectrum of IRC +10216

The IR-emitting core and shell of IRC +10216 are investigated using a high-resolution spectrum covering the wavelength interval between 3 and 5 microns. Line identifications made or confirmed include those due to (C-12)(O-16), (C-13)(O-16), (C-12)(O-17), and (C-12)(O-18). A mean heliocentric velocity of about -32 km/s is obtained from the 42 least blended (C-12)O and (C-13)O lines, and the following isotopic abundance ratios are derived by comparing equivalent widths of the observed lines: C-12/C-13, C-12/C-14, O-16/O-17, and O-17/O-18. The structure of the expanding gas shell is examined, an explanation is offered for the lack of P Cygni profiles in the spectrum, and an unsuccessful search for other molecules is briefly discussed. It is concluded that a low C-12/C-13 ratio is not necessarily a signature of a carbon star.

Barnes, T. G.

Silicon monoxide in the 4 micron infrared spectrum of long-period variables

The first-overtone sequence of vibration-rotation transitions of the free radical silicon monoxide are shown to have extreme phase-dependent variations in the spectra of two M-type long-period variables, Omicron Ceti and R Leonis, and the mild S-type long-period variable, Chi Cygni. At maximum light, the SiO band heads are not detectable. Near minimum light, the band heads of (Si-25)O are detected in the 4-micron spectra of all three stars. The band heads of the terrestrially less abundant isotopic species, (Si-29)O and (Si-30)O, are detected in Chi Cygni. Possible explanations of the phase-dependent behavior are discussed, and the role of the stellar chromosphere is considered.

Hinkle, K. H.

Jupiter and the boron problem

The 'cosmic' abundance of boron is one of the least well known of all the 92 natural elements even though it can appear in substantial concentrations on the earth's surface. It is suggested that Jupiter might be a suitable place to search for boron because the latter forms numerous stable volatile compounds with hydrogen and other abundant elements whose presence might be sought either spectroscopically or by entry devices.

Beer, R.

New apodizing functions for Fourier spectrometry

A new class of apodizing functions suitable for Fourier spectrometry (and similar applications) is introduced. From this class, three specific functions are discussed in detail, and the resulting instrumental line shapes are compared to numerous others proposed for the same purpose.

Norton, R. H.

Detection of carbon monoxide in Jupiter

New, ground-based, 5-micron spectra of Jupiter have revealed the presence of a trace quantity of carbon monoxide in the lower atmosphere of the planet. A preliminary analysis suggests a number mixing ratio in the neighborhood of 10 to the minus ninth power and a column abundance of roughly 5 times 10 to the 17th power molecules per sq cm to a depth of at least 2 atmospheres. It is suggested that the observation might be confirmed by microwave techniques.

Beer, R.

Analysis of spectrophotometric observations of Venus in the 3-4 micron region

Spectrophotometric data of Venus in the 3-4 micron region are analyzed in the context of current ideas concerning cloud properties. The results show that a homogeneous cloud model, using a unimodal particle size distribution compatible with the results of previous polarization studies, cannot satisfactorily explain the infrared observations. Assuming a composition of 75% H2SO4, agreement is possible if an upper layer of smaller particles is added to the homogeneous cloud. This inhomogeneous cloud structure, however, is not in agreement with the polarization results. Other models, involving bimodal particle size distributions, were also unsuccessful in explaining both sets of observations in a consistent manner.

Martonchik, J. V.

The silicon monoxide radical and the atmosphere of alpha Orionis

We present new molecular constants, line positions, and transition probabilities for the first-overtone vibration-rotation bands in the X 1 Sigma+ electronic ground state of SiO, together with an estimate of the SiO abundance and silicon isotope ratios in the atmosphere of alpha Ori.

Beer, R.

Abundance and rotational temperature of telluric methane as determined from the 2 nu 3 band

The rotational temperature of the 2 nu 3 methane absorptions in the solar/telluric spectrum and the methane abundance in the earth's atmosphere have been measured and are found to be 243.4 plus or minus 5.3 K and 1.137 plus or minus 0.117 cm-atm (STP) in a vertical column, respectively. The data were reduced using the results of laboratory measurements with proper allowance for the fine-structure of the methane absorption manifold and the effects of vibration-rotation interaction (which causes an enhancement of the R-branch of this band).

Margolis, J. S.

The spectrum of Mars in the region 1800-3200 per cm

During the 1971 opposition of Mars, new infrared spectra covering the region 1800-3200 per cm were taken at a resolution of 0.095 per cm using a Connes'-type Fourier spectrometer on a 2.7 m telescope. No new trace constituents have, as yet, been found in the spectra, but several previously unobserved combination of isotopic bands of CO2 are visible. It has also been found possible to fit fairly well defined kinetic temperatures and Bond albedos to the data. The kinetic temperatures have been determined by a new technique. It is found that the albedo at 33 deg phase, which was determined a few days after the onset of the great dust storm of 1971, was significantly higher than for the clear atmosphere. The explanation for this phenomenon must await detailed radiative transfer calculations for a dust-laden atmosphere.

Beer, R.