On the New Absorption Bands of the Oxygen Molecule in the Far Ultraviolet Region

Abstract

The absorption bands of the oxygen molecule in the extreme ultraviolet region were studied using a 3‐meter grazing incidence vacuum spectrograph. Two new progressions of bands were found in the region between 1200A and 1290A (one of which is considered to be a member of the Rydberg series converging to the first ionization potential of the oxygen molecule). There were also observed a few short continua near the short wavelength end of the Schumann‐Runge absorption continuum. The behavior of three strong and diffuse bands, at 1200∼1290A, were studied at pressures ranging from 0.01 to several mm of Hg. Assuming the diffuseness of these bands as being due to predissociation, the existence of oxygen atoms in ¹S metastable states in the upper atmosphere is briefly discussed.