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Laser beam measuring methane gas over long distance.

Laser beam measuring methane gas over long distance.
Laser beam measuring methane gas over long distance.
Laser beam measuring methane gas over long distance.
Laser beam measuring methane gas over long distance.
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285680
Taylor, Eric s.
Laser beam measuring methane gas over long distance.
Illustration
09/07/2016
laser_431953.jpg
Caption from Oceanus magazine, Vol. 52, No. 1, pg. 26-27:
One telescope shoots out a laser beam that is recorded by the downstream telescope. In between, methane gas in the air absorbs some of the laser light. The more methane in the air, the less light arrives at the far end.
Image Of the Day caption:
WHOI scientist Anna Michel is developing new ways to measure gases in the air over long distances using a technique called laser spectroscopy. Some of the light from a laser is absorbed by gas molecules such as the greenhouse gas methane before it reaches a detector. The more gas that is in the air, the less light is detected by the receiving sensor. The technique allows researchers to make measurements outdoors, on site, without disturbing the environment or having to take samples back to the lab.
Illustration by Eric S. Taylor, WHOI Creative
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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