Most of our knowledge of the universe is based upon interpretation of light detected after interaction with a remote system. Molecules interact with light in a variety of ways and enable chemical and physical aspects of remote systems to be discerned via molecular spectroscopy. In the molecular spectroscopy laboratory a variety of instruments combine cutting edge technical expertise with extreme environment chambers to enable the elucidation of molecular spectra under conditions exemplary of environments found in space. This laboratory data builds the foundation of knowledge which is then extended to remote objects observed with NASA instrumentation.

Quantum mechanics plays a deep role in the nature of molecular spectra. When classical concepts such as the conservation of angular momentum and conservation of energy are applied to the quantum world, a set of rules governing the observable molecular spectra emerges. Because each molecule has a unique arrangement of atoms, the observable spectra are unique and high-resolution gas-phase measurements provide clear fingerprints for identification of gases in remote environments. The JPL spectroscopy group specializes in laboratory identification and characterization of these fingerprints such that remote and in-situ sensing scientists may then act as detectives to reveal the nature of unknown material. We collect these fingerprints in databases such as the JPL millimeter and submillimeter spectral line catalog and the HITRAN database.