High resolution solar spectra obtained from the ATMOS Fourier Transform Spectrometer (Spacelab 3 flight on April 29-May 6, 1985) have made it possible to identify and measure a large number of... Show moreHigh resolution solar spectra obtained from the ATMOS Fourier Transform Spectrometer (Spacelab 3 flight on April 29-May 6, 1985) have made it possible to identify and measure a large number of lines of the vibration-rotation fundamental bands of the X2 Pi state of CH. From about 100 lines of the 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 bands and adopting theoretical transition probabilities, a solar carbon abundance of 8.60 + or - 0.05 is derived. This value is compared with new results inferred from other carbon abundance indicators. The final recommended solar abundance of carbon is 8.60 + or - 0.05. Show less
High resolution solar spectra obtained from the ATMOS Fourier Transform Spectrometer (Spacelab 3 flight on April 29 - May 6, 1985) made it possible to detect for the first time vibration-rotation... Show moreHigh resolution solar spectra obtained from the ATMOS Fourier Transform Spectrometer (Spacelab 3 flight on April 29 - May 6, 1985) made it possible to detect for the first time vibration-rotation lines of NH from the X3 Sigma(-) state near 3 microns. Using recent theoretical results for the transition probabilities of 23 selected measured lines of the 1-0 and 2-1 bands, a solar abundance of nitrogen of 8.06 + or - 0.07 is derived. This value is compared with the result derived from N I lines and agrees with the abundance obtained from the 3s-3p, 3p-3d and 3s-prime - 3p-prime transitions, A(N) = 8.00 + or - 0.09. The final recommended solar abundance of nitrogen is A(N) = 8.00 + or - 0.05. Show less
A spectrum of Pi Sco showing numerous atomic lines and 70 absorption features from the Lyman and Werner transitions of interstellar H2 in rotational level J from zero to five is presented. Their... Show moreA spectrum of Pi Sco showing numerous atomic lines and 70 absorption features from the Lyman and Werner transitions of interstellar H2 in rotational level J from zero to five is presented. Their shapes of the composite column density profiles are very nearly Gaussian with a one-dimensional rms velocity dispersion of 3 km/s. The behavior of shifts in the inferred N(H2) as a function of velocity are consistent with the overall profiles being composed of nearly symmetrical, tightly paced assemblies of about seven unresolved components. The relative overall column densities in the higher J levels of H2 are consistent with a model where these states are populated by optical pumping through the Lyman and Werner transitions, powered by UV radiation from nearby stars. The slight narrowing of the high-J profiles may be due to small clumps of H2 at radial velocities some 5-8 km/s from the core of the profile are exposed to a pumping flux about 10 times lower than that for the material near the profile's center. Show less
