Voyager observations of the interstellar medium in the 500-- to 1700--A spectral region

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA01p00139· OSTI ID:6469614

Shemansky, D E; Sandel, B R; Broadfoot, A L

Observations of the interstellar medium have been obtained in the 500-- to 1700--A spectral region by the ultraviolet spectrometers installed on the Voyager spacecraft. A preliminary analysis of the least complex of the spectra obtained to date indicates measurable emission in spectral lines at 584, 1026, and 1216 A. These emissions are identified with resonance scattering of solar radiation in transitions of helium and atomic hydrogen. The observations in the direction ..cap alpha.. 324/sup 0/, delta --23/sup 0/ contain no measurable direct emission or scattering of stellar radiation by the interstellar medium to an upper limit of 5 x 10/sup -4/ R/A at 975 A. Spectra obtained in other directions indicate measurable sources of apparent continua having relatively broad spatial extent.

• Research Organization: Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
• OSTI ID: 6469614
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:A1; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC PHOTONS
COSMIC RADIATION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
HELIUM
HYDROGEN
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NONMETALS
PHOTONS
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
SPACE
SPACE VEHICLES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION