ON THE 6825 {\AA} VIBRATION-ROTATION BAND OF METHANE AS OBSERVED IN URANUS AND NEPTUNE
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Date
1977
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Ohio State University
Abstract
New higher resolution spectra of the series of lines near 6825 {\AA}, presumably due to $CH_{4}$, has been obtained for Uranus and Neptune. Our resolution allows us to specify line positions to within $\pm 0.07{\AA}$. The line spacings are in agreement with the previous observations but not with the laboratory observations originally reported by Lutz and $Owen.^{1}$ Lutz and Owen have subsequently reported to us that lines can be found which are in agreement with our observational data. We conclude that the origin of the 6825 {\AA} band is still entirely uncertain and that the assumption of $Owen^{2}$ that the series of lines are the R(n) transitions, for n up to 6, for the $5\nu_{3}$ transition of $CH_{4}$ is, although unlikely, not yet disproven.
Description
$^{1}$B. Lutz and T. Owen, Astrophys. J. 208, L99(1976). $^{2}$T. Owen, Astrophys. J. 141, 444 (1965). Supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant NGR 31-001-242.
Author Institution: Princeton University Observatory; McDonnell Center for Space Sciences, Washington University
Author Institution: Princeton University Observatory; McDonnell Center for Space Sciences, Washington University