I use an Olll filter to view emission nebula -- how do they work?

jordankonisky · Jan 21, 2018

I use an Olll filter to view emission nebula such as the Great Nebula in Orion. What is the mechanism by which Olll in such nebula emit photons of the wavelength that passes through my filter?

jim mcnamara · Jan 21, 2018

It is the same principle as glow-in-the-dark toys - forbidden lines - doubly ionized oxygen (meaning it lost 2 electrons); O III emission is at 495.9 and 500.7 nm, where nm is the wavelength. Longer term (slower) emission rates.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_mechanism

I use an Olll filter to view emission nebula -- how do they work?

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