Submillimeter Wave Spectroscopy of the Earth's Atmosphere above 39000 Feet

Abstract

Results are given, which have been obtained from an aircraft flying at 39000 feet, of an experiment to measure the spectral characteristics of the radiation exchange between a hot detector and a cold sky. In addition to the expected absorption lines due to water vapor, absorption features due to atmospheric oxygen and ozone have been observed Quantitative estimates of the precipitable water in the observation path have been made and agree within the experimental error with near-infrared observations The method of calculating the precipitable water is indicated, and a discussion of the advantages of the sub- millimeter spectral region for this purpose is given