The Ultraviolet Airglow Spectrum.

Abstract

A spectrum of the ultraviolet airglow has been obtained with high dispersion (23 A/mm) and superior resolution. The rotational structure, which is clearly resolved except near the band heads, shows conclusively that most of these airgiow bands arise from the forbidden Herzberg system of Os. Longward of 3600 A the starlight continuum becomes noticeable and in the blue tends to obscure the Os emission. A few emission features remain unidentified. The relative intensities of the bands, the excitation of the upper state, the rotational temperature, and the importance of de-exciting collisions in the emitting region are discussed.