 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
 by Staff Writers Bonn, Germany (SPX) Jan 27, 2021
The German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies (GREAT) spectrometer on board the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has enabled direct, high-resolution spectral measurements of the concentration of atomic oxygen in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere regions of Earth's atmosphere. Scientists from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfRA) and the University of Cologne are investigating a new approach to making direct measurements in the terahertz range, preparing the way for the development of future space instruments. The results have now been published in the Nature journal Communications Earth and Environment. Atomic oxygen is one of the main components of the mesosphere (the middle of the five layers of Earth's atmosphere) as well as the lower part of the thermosphere. This oxygen-rich region of the atmosphere extends from an altitude of approximately 80 kilometres up to over 300 kilometres. There, the oxygen content regulates photochemical processes and the Earth-atmosphere energy balance; it is an important indicator of dynamic shifts in the atmosphere. The GREAT terahertz spectrometer has enabled the concentration of atomic oxygen to be measured directly and at a high spectral resolution for the first time. Various methods had been used for this purpose in the past. For example, atomic oxygen concentration has been determined indirectly based on observations of sky glow at night or measurements of molecules involved in photochemical processes with atomic oxygen. Scientists made these calculations using several satellite instruments. However, these methods are indirect and based on models and assumptions. "The findings do not always agree, especially when they are obtained using different instruments," says Heinz-Wilhelm Hubers, Head of the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems. "Thanks to the GREAT terahertz spectrometer, we have been able to investigate an alternative approach that allows us to conduct direct measurements." GREAT's high spectral resolution enables us to make high-precision measurements of the 4.7 terahertz transition, from which altitude profiles can be derived for the concentration of atomic oxygen. The first spectrally resolved measurements for this transition were revealed during a SOFIA flight in January 2015 along the west coast of the USA. These data are a byproduct of astronomical observations in the same frequency band. "The measurements with GREAT have shown that our measurements agree well with atmospheric models derived from satellite observations," says Hubers.
Developing terahertz technology for future space instruments
Tiny particles formed from trace gases can seed open ocean clouds Washington DC (UPI) Jan 22, 2021 It doesn't take much to seed a cloud in the atmosphere above the open ocean, according to a new study published Friday in the journal Nature Communications. When sunlight reacts with trace gas molecules in the marine boundary layer, the half-a-mile-thick layer of atmosphere that sits above the open ocean, tiny aerosols are forged - a process called new particle formation. "When we say 'new particle formation,' we're talking about individual gas molecules, sometimes just a few atoms in s ... read more
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
