Solar System Spectroscopy

Overview

New Paltz University Research ('22-'23)

Mentor: Prof. Amy Bartholomew, Department Chair of Physics & Astronomy at New Paltz University

Summary: Observed and analyzed Martian and Venusian atmospheres using spectroscopy on a 14” Celestron with diffraction gratings and a CCD.

Methods

The 14 inch Celestron at the Smolen Observatory pointed near the moon.

Observations

To improve my understanding of the instrumentation used in astronomical research, I conducted dozens of observations in Spring 2023 using a 14" Celestron, a CCD, and various diffraction gratings and filters.

Observing spectroscopic data of planets (Venus and Mars) for the first time with this set up came with unique challenges such as overexposure/saturating the chip as well as timing (weather, public nights, planet location).

Ultimately, I obtained a full spectrum of the Martian atmosphere and partial spectrum of the Venusian atmosphere.

results

spectrum of Mars in gray value and pixel distance

The spectrum of Mars is given here in pixel distance and gray value for a three-second exposure. This was taken from the final median combined, dark subtracted, and aligned FITS files corresponding to that exposure length.

Spectrum of Mars demonstrating a large peak, but for the purpose of showing the telluric contamination

This is the entire spectrum captured by the CCD, demonstrating a blurred and repeating spectrum which complicated analysis procedures. This is due to imprecise equipment limitations and no telluric corrections.

Future Work

In comparing my spectra to the spectra (right) sourced from Tinetti, G. et al. (2013) there are clear similarities. There is some alignment of atmospheric absorption lines from Venus (top) and Mars (bottom).

This was a promising comparison, indicating that my procedure was headed in the right direction.

The next steps of this project would have been to collect the full spectrum for Venus and implement telluric corrections. Due mostly to instrument limitations, there was little more I could explore in this project at my undergraduate institution.

Tinetti, G. & Encrenaz, Thérèse & Coustenis, Athena. (2013). Spectroscopy of planetary atmospheres in our Galaxy. The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. 21. 10.1007/s00159-013-0063-6.

However, I did not stop there. This emphasis on planetary spectra and telluric contamination made an ideal transition into my summer research on telluric corrections.

See more on that project conducted at Cornell University's Astrophysics & Planetary Science research program below.

Telluric Corrections Research

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