Earth Limb Radiance Transformation.
Abstract
A mathematical transformation is derived for predicting the upsounding (down-welling) infrared atmospheric radiance from measurements of the earth limb radiance profile. The transformation is derived by writing the equation or radiactive transfer for each viewing geometry in terms of the altitude dependent volume emission function J(r) and then eliminating J(r) from the equations to define the upsounding profile directly as a weighted integral over the limb profile. An approximate transformation is derived for the important case in which the limb profile is nearly exponential with tangent height. The transformation method is limited to spectral and altitude regions for which the atmosphere is optically thin. Near the centers of strong molecular absorption bands in the mid- and far-infrared region, this limitation restricts application to altitudes above approximately 100km. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 02, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA097523
Entities
People
- Stephen J. Young
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation