REFRACTION IN SELECTED MODEL ATMOSPHERES 3
Abstract
An investigation of the astronomical refraction in spherically-stratified model atmospheres is made. Previously, the study of the refraction in the 1959 ARDC model was presented. The astronomical refraction in tropical and arctic winter atmosphere models at zenith distances of 60 and 85 degrees is investigated. The procedure is similar to that used in the study of the 1959 ARDC model; the results show satisfactory agreement with their respective values computed from the Willis and Pulkovo tables. Also included is a sample calculation for a homogeneous atmosphere, considered as a limiting case. Again the results show good agreement with Pulkovo, to rather considerable zenith distances. The effect of injecting water vapor into the dry 1959 ARDC model was examined. The procedure consisted in revising the value of the index of refraction at each level where necessary, using the Barrell-Sears expression for n. The results indicate that for a zenith distance of 60 degrees there is no difference in the contribution to the total refraction between the dry and humid models above 15 km altitude, and for a zenith distance of 85 degrees, there is no difference between the two models above 30 km.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0404465
Entities
People
- James K. Gleim
- John E. Merrill
- William M. Protheroe
Organizations
- Franklin Institute