X.—On a Possible Explanation of the Satellites of Spectral Lines

Extract

It is well known that, when examined with a modern high-power spectroscope, the bright lines in the spectra of the different elements exhibit an individual character. Some are diffuse, some are sharp, some are diffuse on the one side and sharp on the other, and some are accompanied by fainter lines in their neighbourhood. To the latter the name of satellites has been given. The most celebrated satellites are those of the green line of mercury, which have been investigated very often owing to the ease with which the mercury spectrum can be produced. They are much fainter than the main line, and at least six can be seen. But there are cases occurring in which a satellite is so strong that it is hardly possible to say which is the main line. Thus the red line of hydrogen is a close doublet with a separation of ·14 A.U., the two components of the doublet being of approximately equal brightness.