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FROM LABORATORY SPECTRA TO EXOPLANET SPECTRAL FINGERPRINTS: A STUDENT LEARNING MODULE LINKING ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY AND GAS PHASE FTIR SPECTROSCOPY TO ASTRONOMICAL SPECTRA SIGNATURES**

Abstract

Spectral correlation of laboratory and astronomical chemical profiles enables students to connect physical measurements to the composition of celestial bodies. A hands-on laboratory module was developed that uses atomic emission spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to measure atomic emission (H, He, Ne, Hg, Xe) and molecular absorption (CO2, H2O) spectra of gas-phase compounds. The spectroscopic results exhibited features of documented NASA* stellar, solar, and exoplanet observations. Specifically, the celestial bodies that were investigated in this study included (but not limited to) Jupiter, TRAPPIST°-1b, and the Sun. Useful cosmic databases were NIST#, MAST+, PDS, and NASA Exoplanetary archive. Emission spectra in the near-UV/Visible range were obtained from representative lamps to investigate discrete atomic lines and instrument calibration of the charge-coupled device (CCD) detector. Gas-phase FTIR spectra (using a fixed-path cell) were collected for above mentioned molecules to illustrate fundamental vibrational bands and overtones. A reproducible analysis workflow guides students through baseline correction, peak selection, dimensional unit conversion, and cross-referencing to NIST atomic line and band catalogs. The goals of the module include: 1) matching laboratory peaks to known atomic transitions and molecular absorptions reported in astronomical datasets, 2) accounting for spectral shifts and other corrections of instrument resolution due to cosmic distances, and 3) appropriate citation of source and large data sets.  During the course of this study, an analytical coding program in Python was developed to assist with large data set analyses. Confirmation of multiple spectral lines, not just one, is required to properly identify the analyte. Furthermore, the module builds durable skills for identifying atomic and molecular signatures relevant to stellar and exoplanetary spectra.  *NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration °TRAPPIST – Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope

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