Lyman beta

Lyman beta (Ly-β or Lyβ) is a hydrogen spectral line, the second line in the Lyman series and like Lyman alpha, is of interest for astronomical observation. It has a wavelength of 102.6 nm, in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range (as is the whole Lyman series) and cannot be observed from the ground unless considerably redshifted. It is generally less strong then Ly-α, but is strong enough to be used in some of the same ways, e.g., detect clouds at such long distances by noting the absorption lines in the EMR of quasars at the wavelengths indicating Ly-β various redshifts, and can form a Lyman-beta forest. In addition to confirming some conclusions drawn from analogous Ly-α observations, it has value in that it can be observed from the ground at somewhat smaller redshifts than Ly-α, adding to the data that can be collected by ground telescopes.