A sun glint heliostat for atmospheric spectroscopy

Abstract
A simple arrangement based upon sun glint, the brilliant image of the sun behind a convex reflecting surface, is used to produce a nearly stationary image of the sun. Using a telescopemirror, this image is directed into a spectrometer and is spectrally analyzed for the purpose of remote sensing of trace species in our atmosphere. Typical data using a reflecting sphere are reported and discussed qualitatively in relation to the atmospheric absorbers between the sun and detector. The over‐all uses of the system are described, and some cautions concerning its limitations are discussed. Alternate geometries and possible variations of the system are described.