Methane Spectroscopy in Planetary Studies: Overtone Absorption in Methane by Intracavity Laser Techniques

Drs。亚利桑那大学的Atkinson， Lunine和Hunten将使用一种特殊的实验室技术来研究甲烷吸收光谱的详细特征。选择研究的波段是天体物理学和行星研究感兴趣的。测量太阳系巨行星大气中的分子丰度是一项重大的天体物理学挑战。这些测量提供了这些行星中元素丰度的信息，从而限制了它们起源的情景。此外，水或甲烷等主要成分的丰度决定了这些行星大气的动力学。由于缺乏适当的实验室研究，对行星甲烷的天文观测结果的解释一直受到阻碍。博士的研究。Atkinson， Lunine和Hunten将提供所需的实验室数据。

Drs. Atkinson, Lunine, and Hunten at the University of Arizona will use a special laboratory technique to study detailed characteristics of the absorption spectrum of methane. The bands selected for study are of interest to astrophysical and planetary studies. The measurement of molecular abundances in the atmospheres of the giant planets of the Solar System is a major astrophysical challenge. Such measurements provide information on the abundances of elements in those planets, and hence constrain scenarios of their origin. In addition, the abundances of major constituents such as water or methane determine the dynamics of the atmospheres of these planets. Interpretation of astronomical observations of methane from the planets has been hindered by lack of appropriate laboratory studies. The research of Drs. Atkinson, Lunine, and Hunten will provide needed laboratory data.