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At least 235 records · Page 13

Infrared spectroscopy, imaging, and 10 micron photometry of Giclas 29-38

An NIR spectrum and several images of Giclas 29-38, a white dwarf suspected to have a brown dwarf in orbit around it, are presented. There is no absorption feature in the spectrum that is deeper than 5 percent in the wavelength range 1.95-2.45 microns, from which it is inferred that there is no feature deeper than 10 percent at 2.4 microns from any brown dwarf companion. The IR spectrum does not yield any strong constraint on whether or not the thermal emission observed from G29-38 comes from a brown dwarf or dust. The 1.6- and 2.2-micron images of G29-38 appear indistinguishable from a point source with an upper limit of 0.4 arcsec for the separation of the white dwarf and the source of the excess IR emission. This corresponds to a projected linear separation of 5.6 AU. A 2sigma limit at 10 microns of 10 mJy constrains possible alternative models for the IR excess by emission from dust grains. While the present results do not show evidence for the suspected brown dwarf companion around G29-38, the presence of such an object cannot be ruled out.

Tokunaga, A. T.↗

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of Io and possible surface materials

A comparison of new spectra of Io with laboratory-simulated frosts confirms that the dominant materials on Io are SO2 frost in conjunction with a spectrally neutral material presumed to be sulfur. While the 4-micron region spectra are largely explainable in these terms, attention is drawn to a shoulder in the spectrum at 4.04 microns that is suggestive of adsorbed SO2 gas; two shallow, unidentified bands are also noted at 3.85 and 3.91 microns. The isotopic ratios of oxygen and sulfur appear to be normal. The absence of distinct bands in the new spectra in the 5-micron region limits the abundance of sulfate and sulfite compounds.

Howell, Robert R.↗

Absolute infrared band strength measurement of the ClO radical by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

High-resolution (0.005/cm) FTIR spectra of the X2Pi(i)-X2Pi(i) (1-0) rovibrational bands of (C-35)(O-16) and (Cl-37)(O-16) were obtained in 1 torr of helium carrier gas. After measuring the strengths of approximately 830 individual IR lines from several spectra, a total band strength of 13.1 + or - 1.1/sq cm atm and a first Herman-Wallis coefficient of (4.12 + or - 0.62) x 10 to the -3rd were determined.

Lang, Valerie I.↗

The gas environment of the young stellar object GL 2591 studied by infrared spectroscopy

High-resolution M band (4.6 microns) spectroscopy of GL 2591 is presented. Physical structures noted include an absorption feature with an outflow velocity of about 17 km/s, cold gas (identified with the core of the molecular cloud within which the object is embedded), and very broad C-12O lines formed in a neutral wind. The detection of hot low-velocity gas together with warm high-velocity gas suggests the scenario of a warm neutral wind accelerating from an accretion disk.

Mitchell, George F.↗

Solid organic residues produced by irradiation of hydrocarbon-containing H2O and H2O/NH3 ices - Infrared spectroscopy and astronomical implications

Plasma-discharge irradiations were conducted for the methane clathrate expected in outer solar system satellites and cometary nuclei; also irradiated were ices prepared from other combinations of H2O with CH4, C2H6, or C2H2. Upon evaporation of the yellowish-to-tan irradiated ices, it is found that a colored solid film adheres to the walls of the reaction vessel at room temperature. These organic films are found to exhibit IR band identifiable with alkane, aldehide, alcohol, and perhaps alkene, as well as substituted aromatic functional groups. These spectra are compared with previous studies of UV- or photon-irradiated nonclathrated hydrocarbon-containing ices.

Khare, B. N.↗

Infrared spectroscopy of astrophysical ices - New insights in the photochemistry

The photochemical effects of the interstellar radiation field on the ice mantles of molecular-cloud dust grains are investigated by means of laboratory simulations. The apparatus and analytical methods described by Hagen et al. (1979) and Hagen (1982) are employed, and the results are presented as spectra and discussed in detail. Consideration is given to the strong IR absorption bands of OCN(-) and NH4(+) which appear after photolysis and heating of H2O/NH3/CO/O2 ices, the detection of similar bands toward W33A, the critical role of NH3 in the photochemical production of ions, and the use of calculated integrated absorption-band strengths to estimate astrophysical column densities.

Grim, R. J. A.↗

High resolution infrared spectroscopy of the sun and the earth's atmosphere from space

The FFT spectrometer used in the atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment, flown for the first time aboard the Shuttle Spacelab 3 mission (in April 1985), is described together with the instrument's design parameters, the ATMOS's science objectives, and observational techniques used. The ATMOS experiment acquired more than 1000 atmospheric spectra with an equal number of 'solar only' scans, yielding absorption spectra of some 400 different atmospheric constituents. Data were obtained on such key reservoir species as COF2, HNO4, and N2O5; simultaneous vertical distributions of the minor gases from 5 to 140 km; the entire odd-nitrogen family in the stratosphere; and on most of the halogen-source gases with their corresponding reservoir and sink species.

Farmer, Crofton B.↗

Measurements of the D/H ratio in planetary atmospheres by ground based infrared spectroscopy

A systematic study of deuterium in the solar system using the molecules CH3D and HDO as tracers is carried out. For the outer solar system, ground-based spectra of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Titan in the region of CH3D absorptions near, 1.6 microns are obtained. The analyses of these spectra required extensive high-resolution laboratory studies of both CH4 and CH3D. For the terrestrial planets, the spectrum of Mars in the region of HDO absorption near 3.7 microns, is recorded. A similar study of Venus is underway. The values of D/H derived from these investigations are used to constrain models for the origin and evolution of the various atmospheres.

Debergh, C.↗

Did comets come from unaltered interstellar dust and ices? The evidence from infrared spectroscopy

IR spectroscopy data are the bases of the present comparative study of cometary and interstellar dust compositions, allowing the vibrational bands of molecular components to be directly compared at IR wavelengths. Significant organic and silicate band profile differences are noted between comets and molecular clouds' interstellar grains; attention is given to the range of observational efforts, such as the determination of comets' formation temperature from the ortho/para ratio of H2O, which may serve to resolve the question as to whether interstellar dust and ices were the bases for cometary formation without alteration.

Tokunaga, A. T.↗

Far-infrared spectroscopy of the DR 21 star formation region

Far-IR line and continuum observations of the DR 21 star formation region are presented. It is shown that the extended emission in the 63 micron forbidden O I, 35 micron forbidden Si II, and 158 micron forbidden C II lines is most likely produced in dense, warm photodissociation regions on the surfaces of atomic and molecular clumps of size smaller than 0.6 pc. The gas temperatures in these photoelectrically heated, predominantly atomic layers are 250-500 K and are maintained by FUV fluxes 10,000 or more times the average interstellar radiation field. Gas densities in the surface layers are in the range 10,000-50,000/cu cm. The gas phase abundance of Si(+) is inferred to be about 5 x 10 to the -6th relative to hydrogen, or about 0.15 of its solar abundance. The mass of atomic gas is at least 200 solar masses.

Lane, Adair P.↗

Spatially resolved optical and near infrared spectroscopy of I Zw 18

For a long time, I Zw 18 has been recognized as the lowest abundance extra-galactic HII region (with the possible recent exception of SBS 0335-052; Izotov 1989). As such, it is important for many studies, including the determination of the primordial helium abundance. Recent imaging studies of I Zw 18 have revealed a more complex structure to I Zw 18 than the simple two-component model previously assumed. This has given rise to concern about the reliability of chemical abundance measurements derived for I Zw 18. Researchers have obtained long-slit spectra covering the wavelength range lambda 3650 to lambda 10,000, which allow us to measure physical parameters and chemical abundances as a function of position. With these new data we can investigate the SE component, which has not been studied previously, and we can address some of the concerns about abundance uncertainties.

Skillman, Evan D.↗

Near-infrared spectroscopy of classical novae in the coronal phase

Spectroscopic observations of V1819 Cyg, V827 Her, and V2214 Oph, obtained at 1-2.5 microns using a 32-channel InSb array detector at the Cassegrain focus of the 2.7-m telescope at McDonald Observatory during 1986-1989, are reported. The data are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail, with a focus on the nature of the 'coronal' emission. The ratios of Br-gamma (2.167 microns) and forbidden Si VI (1.960 microns) are found to be consistent with coronal gas temperatures of about 10,000 K and with photoionization as the primary mechanism of origin for the coronal species. Severe constraints on theoretical models involving shock heating and collisional ionization are inferred.

Benjamin, Robert A.↗

Quantitative infrared spectroscopy of minor constituents of the Earth's atmosphere

We obtain quantitative laboratory spectroscopic measurements of molecular constituents which are of importance in understanding the health of the Earth's atmosphere, and, in particular, emphasize those species which are important for understanding stratospheric kinetics or are used for long term monitoring of the stratosphere. Our measurements provide: (1) line and band intensity values which are needed to establish limits of detectability for as yet unobserved species and to quantify the abundance of those species which are observed; (2) line-positions, -half widths and pressure induced shifts are all needed for remote sensing techniques, and (3) data on the above basic molecular parameters at temperatures and pressures appropriate for the real atmosphere.

Chackerian, C., Jr.↗

Mid-infrared spectroscopy of Pahala ash palagonite and implications for remote sensing studies of Mars

The mid-IR (7-20 micron range) spectral properties of Pahala ash palagonite and the effect of thin dustings of the palagonite on reflectance characteristics of quartzite and basalt were investigated. Unlike the reflectance of quartzite and basalt, the reflectance of the palagonite is flat and low (1-2 percent). It was found that a dusting of 1-20 micron palagonite particles and 20-250 micron particle clumps, covering 50 percent of the quartzite of the basalt host reduced the quartizite mid-IR reflectance by about 50 percent. The reflectance of the underlying rock was found to be linearly related to the exposed surface area even for extremely small amounts of palagonite (2-100 micron thickness, averaging 5 microns), indicating that mid-IR remote sensing of rocks on Mars will be practical only for dust-free areas.

Crisp, Joy↗

Infrared spectroscopy of cometary parent molecules

The wealth of information on cometary physics provided by high-resolution spectroscopy of the IR water transitions is discussed. Specifically, the absolute line intensities and spatial brightness profiles are used to determine water production rates and lifetimes; the relative line intensities and spatial brightness profiles are used to determine water production rates and lifetimes; the relative line intensities probe the kinetic temperature profile in the coma; the line widths and line positions shed light on the coma outflow dynamics; and the temporal variability in the lines provides information on the structure of the nucleus. These observations also make it possible to determine the water ortho-to-para ratio, which may elucidate the origin and/or evolution of cometary nuclei. Recent advances in IR instrumentation promise to extend sensitivities for parent molecule searches to relative abundances well below 1 percent, especially if cooled, earth-orbiting facilities are available.

Weaver, H. A.↗

Infrared spectroscopy of dense clouds in the C-H stretch region - Methanol and 'diamonds'

The paper presents high spectral resolution studies in the 3100-2600/cm range of the protostars NGC 7538 IRS9, W33A, W3 IRS 5, and S140 IRS 1. Well-resolved absorption bands at about 2825/cm and 2880/cm were found superposed on the LF wing of the strong O-H stretch feature. The 2880/cm band, previously detected toward W33A, is also in the spectrum of NGC 7538 IRS 9. The relative strength of these two bands varies, showing that they are associated with two different carriers. The new band at about 2880/cm falls near the position of C-H stretching vibrations in tertiary carbon atoms. The strength of this feature, in combination with the lack of strong features associated with primary and secondary carbon atoms, suggests that the carrier of the new feature has a diamondlike structure. This new feature is tentatively attributed to interstellar 'diamonds'. The detection of this band in the spectra of all four dense molecular clouds suggests that the carrier is ubiquitous in dense clouds.

Allamandola, L. J.↗

Infrared spectroscopy of homogeneously nucleated hydrazine aerosols - Disordered and crystalline phases

It is shown that aerosols generated at low temperatures and high condensation rate spontaneously form in a highly crystalline state. The resonant absorption bands in the IR spectra of these highly crystalline particles are much sharper than any reported previously in the bulk, and reveal details in the N-H vibrational bands that have not been previously observed. A disordered phase is also observed at somewhat higher temperatures. These results are consistent with this being a supercooled liquid. The fact that the spectra associated with these two aerosol phases are quite different is important to any future attempts at detecting hydrazine aerosols in planetary atmospheres by remote sensing techniques.

Dunder, T.↗