In order to judge the potential fluorescent lamp applications of various low‐pressure positive column discharges it is necessary to measure the absolute power emitted in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. For rare‐gas discharges the principle emission occurs in the vacuum ultraviolet so that it is difficult to measure the radiant emittance (power per unit area) of the resonance radiation by standard methods. Two independent techniques are discussed for measuring the radiant emittance of positive column discharges in the vacuum ultraviolet. These techniques are used to study xenon positive column discharges at the resonance wavelength of 147 nm. The first method relies on the measurement of the resonance level density by absorption techniques. The effective decay rate of the resonance level is then determined by the simulation of resonance radiation transport. These two quantities are combined to yield the radiant emittance at 147 nm without implementing vacuum ultraviolet techniques. The second method uses a measurement of the resonance radiation normal to the positive column axis made with a calibrated vacuum ultraviolet detector. The angular distribution of the resonance radiation leaving the tube is determined by the simulation of resonance radiation transport. The detector measurement places the angular distribution of the radiance on an absolute scale, which can then be integrated to yield the radiant emittance. These two techniques are compared for pure xenon discharges at various pressures and currents. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.