Determination of Atmospheric Transmissivity
Abstract
In the paper single ended and double telephotometers are analyzed in the light of the Mie theory for the scattering of light by isotropic spherical particles. It is shown that the double ended telephotometer has an inherent possibility of error when used to measure atmospheric transmissivity. The single ended telephotometer, on the other hand, offers the optimum technique for obtaining an error free measurement. The analysis of the single ended device is expanded and by deriving a relationship between the transmissivity the intensity of light backscattered from the atmosphere and the elements of the scattering matrix, it is shown that the atmospheric transmissivity can be predicted by examining the backscattered light from a pulsed light source. An experiment is performed in which a Q-switched ruby laser is used as the light source and atmospheric transmissivity is obtained by measuring the backscattered light. These measurements are compared with simultaneous transmissivity measurements taken on stars by conventional methods.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0715550
Entities
People
- E. L. Gray
- H. W. Halsey
Organizations
- General Electric