THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECTRUM OF LIGHTNING: DETERMINATIONS OF CHANNEL TEMPERATURE FROM SLITLESS SPECTRA,

Abstract

Investigations of the optical spectrum of lightning from 1901-1963 are reviewed. The advantages of slitless spectroscopy are emphasized, and detailed analyses of lightning based on new observations at Tuscon are presented. Criteria for qualitative estimates of relative levels of excitation from flash to flash are given. New measurements of excitation temperature (based on relative intensities of N II multiplets) lead to channel temperatures of 24,000-28,000 K, with standard errors on the order of 500 K. Previous uncertainties about the presence of emission lines due to N III or O III are resolved in the negative. The prominence of the H alpha emission line is noted, and its prospective utility for daylight detection and photography of lightning is suggested. A number of unsolved problems in the spectroscopy of lightning are outlined. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0622735

Entities

People

  • Leon E. Salanave

Organizations

  • University of Arizona

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alpha Decay
  • Daylight
  • Detection
  • Electricity
  • Emission
  • Excitation
  • Intensity
  • Lightning
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Photographic Equipment
  • Photographic Materials
  • Photographic Recording Media
  • Photography
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Theoretical Analysis.