Spectroscopy of Earth’s Atmosphere and Solar

Radiation in the Spectral Range of 400 nm to 1000

nmStephanie Inabnet

Edmond WilsonHarding University

To determine what information can be learned from measuring sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere

We will be focusing mainly on◦ Identifying peaks in the Solar spectrum◦ Identifying components of Earth’s atmosphere◦ Measuring the atmospheric water vapor in Earth’s

atmosphere over a period of time to determine what short and long range variations occur.

Project Goals

Develop an understanding of the distribution of atmospheric water vapor and some of the methods used for its measurement;

Learn to use the HITRAN 2008 Molecular Spectroscopic Database and other tools to model water vapor and other molecular spectra under various conditions

Design and build a Visible/Near Infrared spectrometer or spectrograph to measure atmospheric water vapor using the Sun as the spectral source in the 600 -1000 nm wavelength range;

Calibrate our instrument for both wavelength and intensity measurements;

Carry out measurements of atmospheric water vapor in Searcy, Arkansas over an extended period of time;

Interpret the data collected to produce a comprehensive report of our findings;

Identify and carry out outreach activities to educate the public and generate excitement about our research;

Travel to Bozeman, Montana in May 2014 to participate fully in the National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition (NSSSC).

Project Objectives

O3

Hydroxyl Radical N2O CH4

CO2

BrO

Other Gases in Earth’s Atmosphere

Our spectrograph instrument will contribute additional knowledge about PWV and other gases that absorb solar radiation in the wavelength ranges measured.

It will help find answers to the following science questions about Earth’s atmosphere:

o What is the diurnal variation in precipitable water vapor (PWV) in our geographical location?

o What is the weekly variation in PWV in our location?o What is the best model to use to determine PWV using the data that we

collect? After the NSSSC meeting in Bozeman, MT, the instrument will

become part of a new solar studies laboratory at Harding University that will continuously monitor Solar radiation and its interactions with Earth’s atmosphere.

Expected Significance

Arkansas Space Grant Consortium Montana Space Grant Consortium Richardson Grating Laboratories

Acknowledgements