EFFECTIVE TRANSMISSION OF THERMAL RADIATION FROM NUCLEAR DETONATIONS IN REAL ATMOSPHERES
Abstract
The objective of this analysis is to provide as simple a technique as practicable for the prediction of thermal inputs to targets from nuclear weapons, consistent with a moderate degree of confidence, for use in the field with available meteorological data. A study is made of the geographical factors influencing the transmission of thermal radiation from nuclear weapons through cloudless atmospheres. Results are presented as the ratio of the irradiance received on a 2 pi detector in the presence of an attenuating atmosphere to the irradiance expected on the same detector in free space. The primary influencing factors considered are the scattering and absorbing properties of the atmosphere, reflection from the underlying surface, the temperature-time characteristics of the source, and the sourcedetector geometry. The results are presented graphically, with contours of t (effective transmission) for each atmospheric model studied. Ground level visual ranges of 2, 10, and 50 nautical miles were incorporated into both wet and dry atmospheres, which in turn were terminated with a surface having albedos of either 0, 0.2, or 1.0. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0277005
Entities
People
- Hervey P. Gauvin
- John C. Johnson
- John P. Cahill
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories