Gary R. Davis

In-orbit performance of the ISO long-wavelength spectrometer

The long wavelength spectrometer on-board the European Space Agency IR Space Observatory (ISO) uses a grating and one of two Fabry-Perot interferometers to make medium and high resolution spectroscopic observations in the 43-196.9 micrometers wavelength range. The instrument has been in continuous use since the launch of ISO in November 1995. In this paper we describe the calibration of the instrument and its performance, both spectroscopic and photometric, over the two years of instrument operations.

The collision of comet Shoemaker‐Levy 9 with Jupiter: Detection and evolution of HCN in the stratosphere of the planet

We report submillimeter heterodyne observations of Jupiter taken with the JCMT during and after the infall of Comet Shoemaker‐Levy 9 into the planet. We detected the J = 4 ‐ 3 and J = 3 ‐ 2 rotational transitions of HCN in emission at many of the impact sites. Measurements suggest for fragment G a mixing ratio of ∼ 5 × 10−8 above the 0.5‐mbar pressure level and a total HCN mass of 6 × 1011g. Subsequent observations, made in September and November 1994, reveal that HCN is still present but that the lines now appear in absorption. This results from a cooling of the stratospheric thermal profile between July and September. Chemical implications of the observed persistence of HCN in the Jovian stratosphere for over 6 months are discussed.

Neptune's far-infrared spectrum from the ISO long-wavelength and short-wavelength spectrometers

Neptune was observed by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) Long-Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS) between 46 and 185 μm. At wavelengths between 50 and 110 μm the accuracy of these measurements is ⩽0.3 K. Observations of this planet made by the ISO Short-Wavelength Spectrometer between 28 and 44 μm were combined with the LWS data to determine a disk-averaged temperature profile and derive several physical quantities. The combined spectra are matched best by a He/(H2+He) mass ratio of 26.4+2.6−3.5%, reflecting a He molar fraction of 14.9+1.7−2.2%, assuming the molar fraction of CH4 to be 2% in the troposphere. This He abundance is consistent with one derived from analysis of joint Voyager-2 IRIS and radio occultation experiment data, a technique whose accuracy has recently been called into question. For a disk average, the para-H2 fraction is found to be no more than ∼1.5% different from its equilibrium value, and the N2 mixing ratio is probably less than 0.7%. The composite spectrum is best fit by invoking a CH4 ice condensate cloud. Using a Mie approximation to particle scattering and absorption, best-fit particle sizes lie between 15 and 40 μm. The composite spectra are relatively insensitive to the vertical distribution of the cloud, but the particle scale height must be greater than 5% of the gas scale height. The best models are consistent with an effective temperature for Neptune that is 59.5±0.6 K, a value slightly lower than derived by the Voyager IRIS experiment—possibly Neptunes mid- and far-infrared emission has changed during the seven years that lie between its encounter with Voyager 2 and the first spectra taken of this planet with ISO. The model spectra are also ostensibly lower than ground-based observations in the spectral range of 17–24 μm, but this discrepancy can be relieved by perturbing the temperature of the lower stratosphere where the LWS spectrum is not particularly sensitive, combined with the uncertainty in the absolute calibration of the ground-based measurements.

Mach-Zehnder Fourier transform spectrometer for astronomical spectroscopy at submillimeter wavelengths

Astronomical spectroscopy at submillimeter wavelengths holds much promise for fields as diverse as the study of planetary atmospheres, molecular clouds and extragalactic sources. Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS) represent an important class of spectrometers well suited to observations that require broad spectral coverage at intermediate spectral resolution. In this paper we present the design and performance of a novel FTS, which has been developed for use at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). The design uses two broadband intensity beamsplitters in a Mach-Zehnder configuration, which provide access to all four interferometer ports while maintaining a high and uniform efficiency over a broad spectral range. Since the interferometer processes both polarizations it is twice as efficient as the Martin-Puplett interferometer (MPI). As with the MPI, the spatial separation of the two input ports allows a reference blackbody to be viewed at all times in one port, while continually viewing the astronomical source in the other. Furthermore, by minimizing the size of the optical beam at the beamsplitter, the design is well suited to imaging Fourier transform spectroscopy (IFTS) as evidenced by its selection for the SPIRE instrument on Herschel.

Data processing pipeline for a time-sampled imaging Fourier transform spectrometer

Imaging Fourier transform spectrometers (IFTS) are becoming the preferred systems for remote sensing spectral imaging applications because of their ability to provide, simultaneously, both high spatial and spectral resolution images of a scene. IFTS can be operated in either step-and-integrate or rapid-scan modes, where it is common practice to sample interferograms at equal optical path difference intervals. The step-and-integrate mode requires a translation stage with fast and precise point-to-point motion and additional external trigger circuitry for the detector focal plane array (FPA), and produces uniformly position-sampled interferograms which can be analyzed using standard FFT routines. In the rapid-scan mode, the translation stage is continuously moving and interferograms are often acquired at the frame-rate of the FPA. Since all translation stages have associated velocity errors, the resulting interferograms are sampled at non-uniform intervals of optical path difference, which requires more sophisticated analysis. This paper discusses the processing pipeline which is being developed for the analysis of the non-uniform rapid-scan data produced by the Herschel/SPIRE IFTS.

Early mission planning for the MOPITT instrument

The Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument will monitor the global concentrations of carbon monoxide and methane. It will be flown on the Earth Observing Satellite, Terra (EOS-AM1), scheduled for launch late in 1999. This paper describes the proposed early mission operations of MOPITT.

Design and performance of cryogenic, scanning Fabry-Perot interferometers for the Long-Wavelength Spectrometer on the Infrared Space Observatory.

The design of cryogenic, scanning Fabry-Perot interferometers for the Long-Wavelength Spectrometer on the ESA Infrared Space Observatory is presented. The interferometers were designed to provide a spectral resolving power of 10(4) over the wavelength range 45-180 µm, with the highest possible transmission efficiency consistent with this requirement. Metal meshes, custom designed with the aid of a theoretical model of metallic reflection, were used as the reflecting elements. The scanning mechanism featured a spring-suspended plate, which was servocontrolled by moving coil actuators and monitored by capacitance micrometers. The spectroscopic performance of the interferometers was measured in the laboratory and is compared with the model developed for the interferometer design. Although the measured resolving powers were somewhat lower than expected because of the laboratory measurement conditions, the transmission efficiencies were in approximate agreement with the design specification.

Polarizing Fourier transform spectrometer for astronomical spectroscopy at submillimeter and mid-infrared wavelengths

The design of a polarizing Fourier transform spectrometer, developed for submillimeter and mid-infrared astronomical spectroscopy, is presentd. Results from recent observing runs are used to illustrate its performance.

Astronomical spectroscopy using an aliased step-and-integrate Fourier transform spectrometer

Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS) are commonly operated in a rapid-scan (RS) mode, in which an interferogram of an astronomical source is obtained as quickly as possible, followed by one of a nearby background position. In an alternate operating mode, known as step-and-integrate (SI), the optical path difference in the interferometer is incremented in discrete steps, and the signal is integrated only when the interferometer mirrors are stationary. This mode requires some other means of modulating the signal, such as chopping the secondary mirror so that the detector alternately views source and background. The noise bandwidth in the SI mode (typically ~1 Hz) is much smaller than in the RS mode (~1 KHz), which in principle can lead to an increase in overall sensitivity. The main problem with the SI mode is that it takes much longer (~30x) to acquire an interferogram. At submillimetre wavelengths, through the use of narrowband optical filters, which are matched to regions of low atmospheric opacity, it is possible to sample the interferogram at less than the interval determined from the DC band limited Nyquist frequency (a condition known as aliasing) and still unambiguously recover the spectral information. We describe in detail the aliased, SI mode of operation of an FTS at the JCMT and present first results of astronomical spectra obtained using this mode. The resulting spectra are compared and contrasted to data obtained in the RS mode.

Calibration and performance of the LWS

The status of calibration and performance of the ISO Long-Wavelength Spectrometer eleven months after launch is described. The strategy followed for the calibration observations and first results are summarized. The overall performance of the instrument essentially fulfills the expectations; certain changes in sensitivity of the detectors are reported. Some improvements in the way observations are executed, which resulted from the in-flight experience, are explained.