THE $A^{3}\Phi-X^{3} \Delta$ SYSTEM OF TiO: LABORATORY AND SUNSPOT MEASUREMENTS

Abstract

The spectrum of TiO has been observed in the laboratory as well as in sunspots using a Fourier transform spectrometer. In laboratory, the molecules were excited in a titanium hollow cathode lamp operated with neon. The TiO bands have also been observed in the absorption spectra of a large sunspot observed using the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. A number of bands with vibrational levels up to $v=4$ in the ground and excited states have been measured. The combined laboratory and solar measurements have been used to evaluate improved molecular constants for the $A^{3}\Phi$ and $X^{3}\Delta$ states of TiO.