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Infrared spectral measurements (450–2500 cm −1 ) of shuttle‐induced optical contamination
Author(s) -
Zhou D. K.,
Pendleton W. R.,
Bingham G. E.,
Steed A. J.,
Dean D. A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/94gl00199
Subject(s) - space shuttle , michelson interferometer , infrared , contamination , environmental science , remote sensing , spectral line , physics , payload (computing) , optics , interferometry , geology , astronomy , ecology , computer network , network packet , biology , computer science
The first shuttle‐based infrared spectral measurements in the region beyond 800 nm were made during the STS‐39 mission. A cryogenic Michelson interferometer in the CIRRIS‐1A payload yielded high quality atmospheric IR spectra in the earthlimb observing mode. In addition, observations in the very high earthlimb and in the bay‐to‐space mode provided important opportunities to assess optical contamination. These observations have revealed spectrally‐extended H 2 O and NO emissions as dominant in the region 450–2500 cm −1 under quiescent conditions. The viewing conditions, spectral and “spatial” (limb scan) distributions, and temporal behavior of the H 2 O emissions have resulted in their classification as shuttle‐induced “cloud glow” optical contamination.