Infrared inter-Rydberg emission spectra as a possible probe of molecular hydrogen in astrophysical environments

The possibility of observing excited molecular hydrogen in certain astrophysical environments via its infrared high-l inter-Rydberg spectra is discussed. Astrophysical environments in which non-thermal excitations of H2 Rydberg states occur include the aurorae of the Jovian planets and their dayglows, and sunspots. Spectra of those high-l Rydberg transitions which appear most likely to be observed by infrared astronomy are presented using the multipole-polarisation model already applied to laboratory observations of high-l H2 spectra.