Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of the Radiation Field of Planetary Atmospheres.

Abstract

Detailed theoretical and experimental investigations of the problem of radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres have been made. Model atmospheres with progressive degrees of structural complexity have been investigated with a view to extending the theoretical solutions to the case of the real atmosphere. The effects of molecular anisotropy, turbidity and ground reflectivity have been taken into account in these theoretical studies. The experimental program was directed towards the evaluation of the polarization parameters of the emergent radiation in the atmosphere. Very extensive ground based and high altitude balloon-bourne measurements have been made. The ground-based measurements have been utilized to estimate the feasibility of techniques proposed to solve the 'inversion problem.' The balloon measurements have been successfully 'inverted' to derive information on the spectral reflective properties of the underlying terrain. These have been compared with laboratory measurements of the reflective properties of natural formations. The characteristic reflection matrices of some of the natural formations such as sands and soils have been determined. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0715290

Entities

People

  • C. R. Nagaraja Rao
  • Z. Zekera

Organizations

  • University of California, Los Angeles

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Atmospheres
  • Ground Based
  • High Altitude
  • Measurement
  • Planetary Atmospheres
  • Radiation
  • Radiative Transfer
  • Reflection
  • Reflectivity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Radar Systems Engineering.