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Giver, L. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Giver, L. P..

At least 37 records · Page 2

Lightning production of hydrocarbons and HCN on Titan - Laboratory measurements

Experimental measurements have been obtained for the chemical yields of hydrogen cyanide, acetylene, ethylene, ethane, and propane from simulated lightning discharges, in order to ascertain whether lightning in the troposphere of Titan may be contributing to the hydrocarbon inventory. A comparison of these results with those obtained on the basis of thermodynamic equilibrium considerations shows substantial discrepancies and implies that thermodynamic equilibrium theories are inadequate. The production of ethylene by lightning and its subsequent stratospheric diffusion nevertheless appears to be one reasonable mechanism.

Borucki, W. J.↗

A research proposal on spectroscopy of gases and solids observed in the solar system

It is well recognized and accepted that the interpretation and analysis of any type of remote planetary spectroscopic observation requires that basic molecular parameters be available. Furthermore, the newly developed capabilities of air, ground, and space borne spectrometers trained on bodies in the solar system are producing results which are extremely difficult to understand on the basis of available data. This is particularly true in the case of spectral features arising from gases and volatiles condensed as ices. With the objective to continue to extend the understanding of spectroscopic observations of solar system objects (including comets) , laboratory studies of both gas phase molecules and ices and dusts are proposed.

Valero, F. P. J.↗

Nitrogen-broadened lines of ethane at 150 K

Spectral transmittance has been measured in the nu9 fundamental band of C2H6 at 150 K using a Fourier transform spectrometer with apodized spectral resolution of 0.06/cm. Comparison of observed spectral transmittance with a line-by-line computation using the spectral catalog of Atakan et al. (1983) has yielded N2-broadened half-widths at 150 K.

Chudamani, S.↗

HCl vibrational fundamental band - Line intensities and temperature dependence of self-broadening coefficients

Self-broadening in the vibrational fundamental of HCl is inversely proportional to the temperature for transitions which lie near the Boltzmann rotational maximum and becomes monotonically less temperature-dependent as the rotational quantum number increases. The rotationless transition moment was found to have the value of 5.57 + or - 0.13 x 10 to the -3rd (Debye)-squared and the first Herman-Wallis factor, C = -2.543 + or - 0.019 x 10 to the -2nd.

Chackerian, C., Jr.↗

Propane absorption band intensities and band model parameters from 680 to 1580/cm at 296 and 200 K

Band intensities and profiles have been measured for the propane absorption bands from 680 to 1580/cm at 296 and 200 K. This work was stimulated by the discovery of several propane bands in the spectrum of Titan by the Voyager 1 spacecraft. The low temperature laboratory data show that the bands become narrower and the Q branches of the bands somewhat stronger than they are at room temperature. Random band model parameters were determined over the entire region from the 42 spectra obtained at room temperature.

Giver, L. P.↗

Inhomogeneous models of Titan's aerosol distribution

A model of Titan's aerosol is presented which allows the particle size to vary with height. The model assumes a refractive index appropriate to an ethylene polymer and a mass flux independent of height equal to the value derived from laboratory measurements. The free parameters of the model are determined by fitting to the observed geometric albedo at 4000 and 6000 A. A methane spectrum is derived which is in excellent agreement with observations. An aerosol optical depth of about 5 is found in the visible, with the particle radius varying from 0.01 to 8 microns. The presence of an optically thick methane cloud at the temperature minimum is indicated.

Podolak, M.↗

Thermal infrared lines of methane broadened by nitrogen at low temperatures

Measurements of spectral transmittance in the nu4-fundamental band of (C-12)H4 have been performed at low temperatures using a Fourier transform spectrometer with apodized spectral resolution of 0.06 per cm. With applications to lines formed in the atmospheres of Titan and earth in mind, N2 has been used as the broadening gas. Comparisons of observed and computed spectral transmittances on a line-by-line basis have yielded line strengths, N2-broadened half-widths and their variation with temperature. Best agreement between measured and computed spectra was obtained when the absolute intensity of the band was taken as 128 per (sq cm-atm) at 296 K. Line widths were found to vary as T to the n power with n = -1.0 for lines of the F-species and 0.63 for the A-species. The measured line widths are considerably larger than those used in the AFGL compilation.

Varanasi, P.↗

Intensity measurements in the nu4-fundamental of (C-13)H4 at planetary atmospheric temperatures

Measurements of spectral transmittance have been performed in the nu4-fundamental band of (C-13)H4 at low temperatures of planetary atmospheric interest with spectral resolution of 0.06 per cm. Comparison of observed and computed spectral transmittance on a line-by-line basis has yielded line strengths. Best agreement between measured and computed spectra was obtained when the absolute intensity of the band was taken as 123 per (sq cm atm) at 296 K.

Varanasi, P.↗

Infrared absorption by acetylene in the 12-14 micron region at low temperatures

Spectral transmittance measurements have been performed on N2-broadened lines of (C-12)2H2 and (C-12)(C-13)H2 in the 13.7 micron region at 153, 200, and 296 K. From line-by-line comparison of observed and computed spectral transmittance, line strengths, half-widths, and their dependence on temperature have been deduced for conditions relevant to the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Titan, and earth.

Varanasi, P.↗

A laboratory study of the 8.65 micron fundamental of (C-12)H3D at temperatures relevant to Titan's atmosphere

Spectral transmittance measurements have been performed in the nu6-fundamental of (C-12)H3D at 153 K. Relevant to the studies of the emission spectra of Titan recorded by the IRIS instruments on board Voyagers 1 and 2, N2 has been used as the broadening gas. Excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical spectral transmittance has been the result of using N2-broadened line widths and their dependence upon temperature measured in the nu2-fundamental and S = 63.6 per(sq cm atm) for the absolute intensity of the nu6-fundamental.

Varanasi, P.↗

Water absorption lines, 931-961 nm - Selected intensities, N2-collision-broadening coefficients, self-broadening coefficients, and pressure shifts in air

Intensities were measured for 97 lines of H2O vapor between 932 and 961 nm. The lines were selected for their potential usefulness for remote laser measurements of H2O vapor in the earth's atmosphere. The spectra were obtained with several different H2O vapor abundances and N2 broadening gas pressures; the spectral resolution was 0.046/cm FWHM. Measured H2O line intensities range from 7 x 10 to the -25th to 7 x 10 to the -22nd/cm per (molecules/sq cm). H2O self-broadening coefficients were measured for 13 of these strongest lines; the mean value was 0.5/cm per atm. N2-collision-broadening coefficients were measured for 73 lines, and the average was 0.11 cm per atm HWHM. Pressure shifts in air were determined for a sample of six lines between 948 and 950 nm; these lines shift to lower frequency by an amount comparable to 0.1 of the collision-broadened widths measured in air or N2. The measured intensities of many lines of 300-000 band are much larger than expected from prior computations, in some cases by over an order of magnitude. Coriolis interactions with the stronger 201-000 band appear to be the primary cause of the enhancement of these line intensities.

Giver, L. P.↗

Intensities and N2 collision-broadening coefficients measured for selected H2O absorption lines between 715 and 732 nm

Intensities and N2 collision-broadening coefficients are measured for 62 water vapor absorption lines between 715 and 732 nm potentially applicable to laser remote sensing of atmospheric water vapor. Absolute line strengths and widths were determined from spectra corrected for instrument resolution, air-path absorption and Lorentz and Doppler broadening for pure water vapor and water vapor-nitrogen mixtures in a multipass absorption cell with a base path length of 25 m (White cell). Line strengths are observed to range from 4 x 10 to the -25th to 4 x 10 to the -23rd kayser/molecule per sq cm, and collision broadening coefficients are found to be approximately equal to 0.1 kayser/atm.

Wilkerson, T. D.↗

Inhomogeneous models of the Venus clouds containing sulfur

Based on the suggestion that elemental sulfur is responsible for the yellow color of Venus, calculations are compared at 3.4 microns of the reflectivity phase function of two sulfur containing inhomogeneous cloud models with that of a homogeneous model. Assuming reflectivity observations with 25% or less total error, comparison of the model calculations leads to a minimum detectable mass of sulfur equal to 7% of the mass of sulfuric acid for the inhomogeneous drop model. For the inhomogeneous cloud model the comparison leads to a minimum detectable mass of sulfur between 17% and 38% of the mass of the acid drops, depending upon the actual size of the large particles. It is concluded that moderately accurate 3.4 microns reflectivity observations are capable of detecting quite small amounts of elemental sulfur at the top of the Venus clouds.

Smith, S. M.↗

On inhomogeneous scattering models of Titan's atmosphere

Podolak and Danielson (1977) discussed the homogeneous model of Titan's atmosphere with the dust and gas uniformly mixed. They were able to reproduce the equivalent widths of the CH4 bands at 4680 and 5430 A but failed to agree with the observations in the near infrared. The present paper develops an inhomogeneous model which has the dust and gas essentially separated; this model agrees fairly well with the near-IR data of Younkin (1974) but does not agree with the data of Lutz et al. (1976) for the 4860-A band and it must be adjusted to match their data for the 5430-A band.

Podolak, M.↗