Nomenclature

The study of O3 (Ozone) remains a current topic of research today, as people from scientists to political policy makers concern themselves with the issues of ozone depletion. A considerable amount of attention has been paid particularly to atmospheric ozone destruction catalyzed by the production of man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides. The most effective means of observing stratospheric ozone changes is through the use of space based spectroscopy. Spectral analysis of backscattered ultraviolet light yields information about O3 abundances in the atmosphere. O3 is the molecule responsible for a majority of ultraviolet light reflection in the Earth's atmosphere. Although extensive O3 spectral analysis has been done on current and past orbital missions, a full characterization of ozone spectroscopy is not complete. Baseline laboratory tests of ozone are necessary to the complete understanding of ozone processes in the atmosphere but are difficult to execute and are therefore ongoing. In this discussion the spectroscopy of stratospheric ozone in the ultraviolet spectral range will be discussed within the context of the purpose of the Citizen Explorer 1 mission. It will be supported by a summary of past and present orbital observation missions, present laboratory experimentation, and fundamental understanding of spectroscopy and the O3 molecule