MEASUREMENT OF CLOUD REFLECTANCE PROPERTIES AND THE ATMOSPHERIC ATTENUATION OF SOLAR AND INFRARED ENERGY.
Abstract
The results of measurements made with an instrumented DC-3 aircraft are presented and discussed. In the infrared 8 to 14 microns 'window' region, both the integrated and spectral radiances of different surfaces were measured as a function of altitude to 18,000 feet, and compared with a theoretical model. Surface temperature measurements were made in order to determine the mean emissivity of stratus clouds, the ocean, the desert, and snow, in the 'window' region. In the visible region, the albedos of the above surfaces, plus forest and grass surfaces, were determined from measurements of the total down and total up fluxes of solar radiation. The total down flux measurements are compared with a theoretical model. The directional reflectivity and polarization of stratus clouds, the ocean, and snow, were determined as a function of wavelength in the visible region. These optical properties of clouds are related to cloud properties such as thickness, liquid water content, and droplet size distribution. Stratus cloud radiances determined with an aerial camera on a U2 at altitudes up to 65,000 feet are analyzed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0666936
Entities
People
- M. Griggs
- W. A. Marggraf
Organizations
- General Dynamics