The Far-Ultraviolet Background

Abstract

Extensive reviews of the diffuse background at ultraviolet (λ1000 – 2500 å) wavelengths have been given by Davidsen, Bowyer & Lampton (1974), Paresce & Jakobsen (1980), and most recently by Bowyer (1992) and Henry (1992). Since many astronomical sources emit radiation with photon energies in the rangehv≃ 10 – 20 eV through various thermal and non-thermal emission processes, the diffuse UV background is of relevance for a range of topics. These include the study of the properties of interplanetary and interstellar dust grains, thermal line emission from the interstellar and intergalactic gas, the integrated light of galaxies, and radiative decay of exotic cosmological particles.