1. Stephanie Inabnet Edmond Wilson Harding University

5.  To determine what information can be learned from measuring sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere  We will be focusing mainly on ◦ Identifying peaks in the Solar spectrum ◦ Identifying components of Earth’s atmosphere ◦ Measuring the atmospheric water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere over a period of time to determine what short and long range variations occur.

6.  Develop an understanding of the distribution of atmospheric water vapor and some of the methods used for its measurement;  Learn to use the HITRAN 2008 Molecular Spectroscopic Database and other tools to model water vapor and other molecular spectra under various conditions  Design and build a Visible/Near Infrared spectrometer or spectrograph to measure atmospheric water vapor using the Sun as the spectral source in the 600 -1000 nm wavelength range;  Calibrate our instrument for both wavelength and intensity measurements;  Carry out measurements of atmospheric water vapor in Searcy, Arkansas over an extended period of time;  Interpret the data collected to produce a comprehensive report of our findings;  Identify and carry out outreach activities to educate the public and generate excitement about our research;  Travel to Bozeman, Montana in May 2014 to participate fully in the National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition (NSSSC).

12.  O 3  Hydroxyl Radical  N 2 O  CH 4  CO 2  BrO

13.  Our spectrograph instrument will contribute additional knowledge about PWV and other gases that absorb solar radiation in the wavelength ranges measured.  It will help find answers to the following science questions about Earth’s atmosphere: o What is the diurnal variation in precipitable water vapor (PWV) in our geographical location? o What is the weekly variation in PWV in our location? o What is the best model to use to determine PWV using the data that we collect?  After the NSSSC meeting in Bozeman, MT, the instrument will become part of a new solar studies laboratory at Harding University that will continuously monitor Solar radiation and its interactions with Earth’s atmosphere.

14.  Arkansas Space Grant Consortium  Montana Space Grant Consortium  Richardson Grating Laboratories