Advanced Infrared Astronomy

The goals of this research include high resolution spectroscopic studies of planetary atmospheres and comets. Laser heterodyne and Fourier transform spectrometers are utilized in order to obtain high spectral and spatial resolution. This makes it possible to study localized, non-thermal, phenomena in low temperature and low density regions and to detect trace constituents. Ultrahigh spectral resolution and stability also enables the study of dynamical phenomena such as winds in planetary atmospheres, thermal tides, and the outflow of material in cometary comae.