Aerosol optical depth determination from ground based irradiance ratios

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Appl. Opt.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5966598

Miller, J R; O'Neill, N T; Boyer, A

The atmospheric optical depth serves as an input parameter to atmospheric correction procedures in remote sensing and as an index of atmospheric opacity or constituent columnar abundance for meteorological applications. Its measurement, typically performed by means of a small field of view radiometer centered on the solar disk, is sensitive to the absolute calibration accuracy of the instrument. In this paper a simple technique is presented which permits the extraction of aerosol optical depth from the ratio of total to direct irradiance measurements. An error analysis performed on the results of radiative transfer simulations and field measurements indicates that the technique generates values of aerosol optical depth which are sufficiently accurate for many applications. This method thus represents a useful alternative to standard sunphotometer measurements.

• Research Organization: York University, CRESS Downsview, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada(CA); Sherbrooke University, CARTEL, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5966598
• Journal Information: Appl. Opt.; (United States), Vol. 28:15
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
LIGHT SCATTERING
MONITORING
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
REMOTE SENSING
ABSORPTION
ERRORS
REFRACTIVITY
SOLAR RADIATION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SOLS
STELLAR RADIATION
500100* - Environment
Atmospheric- Basic Studies- (-1989)