We propose to perform new observations with the NASA/gsfc infrared high-resolution grating spectrometer, celeste, (a visiting instrument) at the mcmath-pierce and NASA irtf telescopes to complement…

This federal contract award, with ID NNX15AF89G, is a grant to the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The award, valued at $142,062.99, supports new observations with the NASA/GSFC Infrared High-Resolution Grating Spectrometer, CELESTE, at the McMatch-Pierce and NASA IRTF telescopes. This effort is intended to complement and validate observations from the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) on the Cassini spacecraft, as Saturn progresses through northern spring. The ground-based CELESTE observations will map the infrared stratospheric emission across Saturn's northern hemisphere during the final stage of Cassini's mission, providing vital data. This award is not associated with any set-aside designation.

We propose to perform new observations with the NASA/gsfc infrared high-resolution grating spectrometer, celeste, (a visiting instrument) at the mcmath-pierce and NASA irtf telescopes to complement and validate the observations being performed by the composite infrared spectrometer (cirs) on cassini. Saturn is currently progressing through northern spring and significant changes are developing in the northern hemisphere. Celeste and cirs observations investigate hydrogen and hydrocarbon molecular line emission and absorption to learn about saturn's stratospheric energy transport, dynamics, and atmospheric composition. Our ground-based program began measuring hydrocarbon emission in saturn well before cassini (1996) and we will provide a vital role by mapping infrared stratospheric emission during saturn's northern solstice in may 2017. During this period cassini will be in the final stage of short period orbits to end the mission in september 2017 and cirs will no longer be doing mapping. Only targeted observations for periods of 1-3 hours will be performed. Celeste will be able to characterize the entire northern hemisphere by mapping stratospheric emission at regular time intervals through the solstice period.