Limb Viewing (Occultation)
Limb viewing, also known as occultation, is a technique used in space and astronautical engineering to study the atmosphere of a celestial body. It involves observing the light from a distant source, such as a star, as it passes through the atmosphere of the body being studied. By analyzing the changes in the light as it passes through different layers of the atmosphere, scientists can gain valuable information about the composition, temperature, and density of the atmosphere. Limb viewing can be done from orbiting spacecraft or from the surface of a planet or moon. It is particularly useful for studying the atmospheres of planets and moons that do not have a significant atmosphere, as well as for studying the upper atmosphere of planets like Earth.
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