Solar Infrared Reflection and Infrared Emission from a Dust Loaded Cloud.
Abstract
This paper presents the results of Monte Carlo calculations of reflected sunlight and air emission in the 2.653 micrometers to 2.760 micrometers wavelength band for satellite-based detectors viewing a cumulus cloud loaded with various amounts of Sahara dust positioned between 14 and 15 km altitude. The results of the calculations showed that the presence of a dust loading of .00005 cu. cm. of Sahara dust per m cubic meter of the cloud probably cannot be detected at that wavelength. Increasing the dust loading to the cloud by a factor of 100 or more gave results that indicated that the presence of the dust could be determined by the use of reflected sunlight in the 2.7 micrometers wavelength band. Mie calculations for both the cloud and Sahara dust indicates that the best wavelength for detection of the air emission would be wavelengths near 10 micrometers. Additional calculations are in progress for other wavelengths in the 2 micrometers to 15 micrometers wavelength range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 06, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA039535
Entities
People
- M. B. Wells