Solar spectral irradiance and atmospheric transmission at Mauna Loa Observatory
A radiometer was operated at the Mauna Loa Observatory during calendar year 1980 to estimate the spectral irradiance of the sun and its possible fluctuation in time near the peak of solar activity. Data were also acquired on seasonal trends of atmospheric transmissivity above the marine mixing layer in the central Pacific. Spectral irradiance remained c constant to at least 1/2% at all wavelengths monitored. Furthermore its absolute magnitude was in agreement with the Labs and Neckel values to +- 2% except at blue wavelengths where the Mauna Loa values are from 4 to 12% higher and at lambda = 850 nm where the Mauna Loa value is 9% lower. The residual aerosol optical depth above Mauna Loa Observatory during 1980 averaged tau/sub 0/ = 0.020. An intrusion of dust into the central Pacific from the Gobi Desert (as deduced by the composition of collected particles) invaded the Central Pacific from Mar. to May 19890 and caused a perturbation in optical depth (at lambda = 500 nm) of ..delta..tau/sub 0/approx.0.01--0.02. The optical depth increment caused by the Mt. St. Helens volcano was <0.005 in the 2-month period following the eruption.
- Research Organization:
- Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
- OSTI ID:
- 5167058
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Opt.; (United States), Vol. 21:11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
LIGHT SCATTERING
DIRECT SOLAR RADIATION
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
OPACITY
SUN
SOLAR CONSTANT
HAWAII
OPTICAL FILTERS
RADIOMETERS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
FEDERAL REGION IX
FILTERS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NORTH AMERICA
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SOLAR FLUX
SOLAR RADIATION
SOLS
STARS
STELLAR RADIATION
USA
140100* - Solar Energy- Resources & Availability
500101 - Environment
Atmospheric- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (-1989)