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Norton, R. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Norton, R. H..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Observation of several chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) bands in stratospheric infrared spectra

Four of the most prominent and sharpest infrared absorption features of chlorine nitrate at 780.2, 807.7, 809.4, and 1292.6/cm have been observed in a series of infrared solar spectra obtained at an unapodized spectral resolution of 0.01/cm, using the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy instrument from on-board Sapcelab 3. A quantitative analysis of the nu4 Q branch at 780.2/cm has provided insight into the concentration of ClONO2 between 19 and 40 km altitude. While the mean profile deduced from three sunset occultations near 30 deg N latitude exhibits a shape close to that predicted by model calculations, its concentrations in the 20 to 32 km altitude range are, however, about 30 percent larger, reaching a peak concentration of 9 x 10 to the 8th molecules/cu cm at 25 km. The concentrations above 32 km, deduced from one sunrise occultation at 47 deg JS, are even larger than the corresponding sunset values at 30 deg N latitude. Some of these discrepancies may be caused by the rather large uncertainty in the assumed Q branch strength.

Zander, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Evidence for the presence of the 802.7/cm band Q branch of HO2NO2 in high resolution solar absorption spectra of the stratosphere

Stratospheric solar absorption spectra recorded at about 0.01/cm resolution by the ATMOS (Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy) Fourier transform spectrometer during the Spacelab 3 Shuttle mission (4/30-5/6/85) show a weak absorption feature covering about 802.5-803.3/cm. This feature is identified as the unresolved Q branch of the 802.7/cm band of HO2NO2 and profiles for 31 deg N and 47 deg S are reported.

Rinsland, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spectroscopic detection of Ch3Cl in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere

Absorptions due to the nu1 band of CH3Cl have been identified for the first time in infrared solar absorption spectra of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The spectral data were obtained with the ATMOS Fourier transform spectrometer on board Spacelab 3 in May 1985 during four solar occultation events near latitudes of 30 deg N, 26 deg N, 25 deg N, and 49 deg S. Volume mixing ratio profiles of CH3Cl retrieved for the altitude range 12 to 23 km at these four latitudes do not show appreciable differences. Vertical mixing ratio distributions vary from 6 x 10 to the -10th at 12 km to 3 x 10 to the -10th at 23 km with an average uncertainty of about 25 percent. The retrieved mixing ratio does not decrease with altitude as rapidly as the data obtained by in situ techniques.

Park, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Detection of carbonyl fluoride in the stratosphere

Infrared solar absorption spectra of the stratosphere recorded at a resolution of 0.01/cm by the ATMOS (Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy) instrument from onboard Spacelab 3 (04/30 to 05/6/85) have revealed the existence of many previously unobserved absorption features in the 1925 to 1960/cm and 1249 to 1255/cm regions and one at 774/cm. On the basis of comparisons with laboratory spectra, these features have been identified as belonging to the nu1, nu4, and nu6 bands of carbonyl fluoride, respectively. Volume mixing ratios of COF2 between 17 and 40 km have been deduced from analysis of the nu1 and nu6 bands.

Rinsland, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Detection of stratospheric N2O5 by infrared remote sounding

Measurements of N2O5 absorption (1230 and 1260 per cm) in infrared spectra were carried out using the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) instruments on board Spacelab 3. The detection of stratospheric N2O5, a temporary reservoir species whose photolysis products catalyze ozone destruction, was confirmed. Preliminary analysis of spectra recorded at sunrise on 1 May 1985 indicates a peak volume mixing ratio of 1.6 x 10 the -9th at 35 km an altitude of 35 km, or a broad concentration peak pf 4 x 10 to the 8th molecules per cu cm between 21 and 35 km. Absorption was not detected in spectra measured at sunset due to the depletion of N2O5 by photolysis during the day. The volume mixing ratio profile of N2O5 between 0 and 75 km altitude is reproduced in graphic form.

Toon, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Interferometer

A high resolution interferometer is described. The interferometer is insensitive to slight misalignment of its elements, avoids channeling in the spectrum, generates a maximum equal path fringe contrast, produces an even two sided interferogram without critical matching of the wedge angles of the beamsplitter and compensator wedges, and is optically phase tunable. The interferometer includes a mirror along the path of each beam component produced by the beamsplitter, for reflecting the beam component from the beamsplitter, for reflecting the beam component from the beamsplitter to a corresponding retroreflector and for reflecting the beam returned by the retroreflector back to the beamsplitter. A wedge located along each beam component path, is large enough to cover the retroreflector, so that each beam component passes through the wedge during movement towards the retroreflector and away therefrom.

Breckinridge, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High-resolution spectrometrometry/interferometer

Modified double-pass interferometer has several features that maximize its resolution. Proposed for rocket-borne probes of upper atmosphere, it includes cat's-eye retroreflectors in both arms, wedge-shaped beam splitter, and wedged optical-path compensator. Advantages are full tilt compensation, minimal spectrum "channeling," easy tunability, maximum fringe contrast, and even two-sided interferograms.

Breckinridge, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

New apodizing functions for Fourier spectrometry

A new class of apodizing functions suitable for Fourier spectrometry (and similar applications) is introduced. From this class, three specific functions are discussed in detail, and the resulting instrumental line shapes are compared to numerous others proposed for the same purpose.

Norton, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Spectroscopic detection and vertical distribution of HCl in the troposphere and stratosphere

HCl has been observed in both the troposphere and stratosphere from ground-based and airborne spectroscopic measurements of the 1-0 band at 3-micron wavelength. The results, which are specific to the HCl molecule in the gas phase, show a decreasing mixing ratio with altitude in the lower stratosphere. The stratospheric layer, which commences at about 15 km, reaches its maximum concentration at an altitude above 21 km (the limiting height of the observations to date). The local value for the volume mixing ratio at 21 km is 7 + or - 1 times 10 to the minus 10th. However, the zenith column abundance observed above 21 km implies that the mixing ratios at greater altitudes are unlikely to reach values much in excess of the local value at 21 km.

Farmer, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Abundance and rotational temperature of telluric methane as determined from the 2 nu 3 band

The rotational temperature of the 2 nu 3 methane absorptions in the solar/telluric spectrum and the methane abundance in the earth's atmosphere have been measured and are found to be 243.4 plus or minus 5.3 K and 1.137 plus or minus 0.117 cm-atm (STP) in a vertical column, respectively. The data were reduced using the results of laboratory measurements with proper allowance for the fine-structure of the methane absorption manifold and the effects of vibration-rotation interaction (which causes an enhancement of the R-branch of this band).

Margolis, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Optical Astronomy

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Norton, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Self-recording portable soil penetrometer

A lightweight portable penetrometer for testing soil characteristics is described. The penetrometer is composed of a handle, data recording, and probe components detachably joined together. The data recording component has an easily removed recording drum which rotates according to the downward force applied on the handle, and a stylus means for marking the drum along its height according to the penetration depth of probe into the soil.

Costes, N. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Jupiter - Observation of deuterated methane in the atmosphere.

During May 1971 a number of whole-planet spectra of Jupiter were obtained. Strongly evident in the spectrum of Jupiter are several J-manifolds in the P-branch of a band of CH3D. It is believed that this is the first observation of deuterium in any astronomical source. The spectrum of Jupiter is shown together with the spectrum of the sun, and a representation of a ratio of the spectrum of Jupiter to that of the sun.

Beer, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Astronomical infrared spectroscopy with a Connes-type interferometer. III Alpha Orionis, 2600 to 3450 per cm.

Analysis of recent spectra of alpha Ori in the 3 to 4 micron region at a resolving power of about 10,000, showing clear evidence of the delta v = 1 sequence of the rotation-vibration bands of OH. A detailed investigation of the rotational and vibrational populations suggests that the OH is close to being in LTE at an apparent temperature of 4100 plus or minus 200 K. An OH abundance of 1.2 x 10 to the 20th molecules per cu cm and upper limits for H2O and H super 35 Cl of 8 x 10 to the 18th and 8 x 10 to the 17th molecules per cu cm, respectively, are deduced. It is also deduced that the rms turbulence velocity in the region of OH line formation is 11.5 plus or minus 2 km/sec. The implications of these data on abundances in M supergiant atmospheres are discussed.

Beer, R.↗