The Nimbus 7 solar total irradiance: A new algorithm for its derivation

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91JA02488· OSTI ID:5407255

Hoyt, D V ^[1]; Kyle, H L ^[2]; Hickey, J R ^[3]; Maschhoff, R H ^[4]

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1. Research and Data Systems Corp., Greenbelt, MD (United States)
2. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (United States)
3. Eppley Lab. Inc., Newport, RI (United States)
4. Gulton Industries, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

The Nimbus 7 satellite has measured the solar total irradiance from November 1978 to July 1991 (153 months). These measurements are important both in solar physics and for climate change. In this paper the changing radiometer pointing, the zero offsets, the stability of the gain, the temperature sensitivity, and the influences of other platform instruments are all examined and their effects on the measurements influences of other platform instruments are all examined and their effects on the measurements considered. Only the question of relative accuracy (not absolute) is examined. The resulting derived solar irradiances are compared to previous analyses of the Nimbus 7 radiometer and to the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) measurements. Compared to previous analyses, the newly derived values are higher and somewhat less variable than the older values. Compared to the SMM measurements, both agree well so long as any solar activity is present. When the Sun becomes quiet, so its irradiance variability is less than the Nimbus 7 radiometer resolution, the comparison to the SMM results breaks down. Between 1980 and 1988 the correlation of the daily values is 0.83, compared to 0.62 using previously published values from both satellites. In 1980 when both satellites were operating without problems, Nimbus 7 was 0.3155% higher on average. For May 1984 to December 1988, Nimbus 7 was 0.3255% higher.

• OSTI ID: 5407255
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 97:A1; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
ALGORITHMS
CALCULATION METHODS
CALIBRATION
CLIMATES
CLIMATIC CHANGE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CORRELATIONS
DATA ANALYSIS
EVALUATION
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
MATHEMATICS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
NIMBUS SATELLITES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOMETERS
SATELLITES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR CYCLE
SOLAR FLUX
STARS
SUN
TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS