Hexanitritolanthanates provide a unique opportunity to investigate the energy-level structures and crystal field of the lanthanide ion (Ln(3+)) in T(h) site symmetry, with 12-coordination to oxygen. However, the electronic spectra are mainly vibronic and particularly extensive and complex. Advantage may be taken of the high energy of NO(2)(-) vibrations, using (15)N substitution, in assigning the electronic emission spectra. These features form a fingerprint in less-congested spectral regions. The technique is demonstrated for the case of Ln = Eu, from the study of the (5)D(0) emission spectra.