Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
09:41
Emission Spectroscopic Boundary Layer Investigation during Ablative Material Testing in Plasmatron
Published on: June 9, 2016
Space plasma physics: atmospheric emissions photometric imaging experiment
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 13, 1984
Summary
The Atmospheric Emissions Photometric Imaging Experiment detected magnesium ion emissions in the Earth's lower ionosphere. This study analyzed faint atmospheric phenomena using advanced imaging and spectral analysis from Spacelab 1.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric science
- Space physics
- Optical physics
Background:
- Faint natural and artificial atmospheric emissions are crucial for understanding upper atmospheric processes.
- Previous studies lacked high-resolution imaging and spectral analysis capabilities for these phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate faint atmospheric emission phenomena using photometric imaging.
- To analyze the spectral characteristics of Earth's airglow and spacecraft glow.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Atmospheric Emissions Photometric Imaging Experiment on Spacelab 1.
- Employed a television system with wide-angle and telephoto optical channels.
- Used a microchannel plate photomultiplier tube and a hand-held image intensifier camera with an objective grating for spectral analysis.
Main Results:
- Successfully imaged optical emissions between 2000 and 7500 angstroms.
- Detected magnesium ion emission features in the lower ionosphere.
- Obtained the spectrum of the spacecraft glow.
Conclusions:
- The experiment demonstrated the capability to study faint atmospheric emissions with high detail.
- Preliminary data confirm the presence of specific ion emissions and provide insights into atmospheric composition.
- Further analysis of the spectral data will enhance our understanding of ionospheric processes and spacecraft-induced atmospheric effects.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
01:26Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the common plasma source used in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), a technique that detects and analyzes various elements in a sample. This method is often called inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.
01:22Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
01:02Flame Photometry: Overview
Flame photometry, also known as flame emission spectrometry, is a technique used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements present in a sample using a flame as the source of excitation energy. The concept of flame photometry was realized in the early 1860s by Kirchhoff and Bunsen, who discovered that specific elements emit characteristic radiation when excited in flames. The first instrument developed for this purpose was used to measure sodium (Na) in plant ash using a Bunsen...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...