The High-Resolution Light-polluted Night-Sky Spectrum at Mount Hamilton, California

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Atmospheric Effects, Techniques: Spectroscopic

Scientific paper

Sky spectra were recorded over San Jose at the Lick Observatory over the 3800-9200 Å spectral range, with a spectral resolution of 45,000. Strong atomic lines were detected from Al I, Ar I, Hg I, K I, Li I, Na I, Ne I, Sc I, Sc II, Th I, Th II, and from O I and OH nightglow features. Spectra are contrasted for observations over San Jose (west), the zenith direction, and the eastern sky. When observing in the easterly direction, the emission intensity is still 20%-30% of that seen toward the west. For a natural and stable terrestrial nightglow line, O I λ5577, the intensity is comparable in either direction. A variety of line shapes are observed, reflecting the outputs of the mélange of pollution sources. A total of 177 identified light-pollution lines were observed, of which more than half are due to Sc I and Sc II. The Sc I lines show a systematic shift to longer wavelengths from the expected positions, amounting to an average of 25 mÅ. This is presumably a consequence of their origin, high-pressure metal halide lamps. By comparing the intensity of the strongest pollution lines and continuum (from Na) with the nightglow O I λ5577 line, a figure of merit for the pollution line intensity is the equivalent of 4 kR for the atmospheric conditions and viewing geometry investigated.
Lick Observatory Bulletin 1401.

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