Spatial Characteristics of Airglow and Solar Scatter Radiance from the Earth's Atmosphere

Abstract

Data measured by the Polar BEAR/AIRS UV Experiment were processed to extract spatial radiance characteristics. Photometer mode 1304A dayside data measured on Julian Day 219, 1897, near mid-day were analysed. The spatial structure of thermospheric dayside radiance at 1304A appeared to be controlled principally by turbulence over spatial scales of 10 million - 100 meters, with modifications imposed by Rayleigh scattering effects and magnetospherically forced phenomena. Spatial structure can be adequately modeled fractally, using dimensions based on Kolmogorov formalism modified by the Rayleigh scattering phase function. Mean radiance can be modeled using existing models of radiant intensity, resonance scattering, and absorption combined with thermospheric composition and general circulation models, such as MSIS-83, scaled to the mean and RHS intensities measured by Polar BEAR. The results can be incorporated in a background radiance simulation model that will provide a means for testing and refining phenopmenological models of the structured earth background. This will be important not only for improving physical and chemical models of atmospheric features and processes, but it will allow parametric predictions of spatial structure and clutter to be developed for sensor applications. Keywords: Airglow; Solar scatter; Ultraviolet spatial structure; Reprints.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 09, 1989
Accession Number
ADA211358

Entities

People

  • M. Weinberg
  • R. Huffman
  • R. Huguenin
  • R. Wohlers
  • Richard W. Eastes

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Air Force
  • Atmospheres
  • Electromagnetic Scattering
  • Emission
  • Frequency
  • Intensity
  • Measurement
  • Photometers
  • Radiance
  • Radiant Intensity
  • Radiation
  • Rayleigh Scattering
  • Resonance
  • Resonance Scattering
  • Scattering
  • Turbulence

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.
  • Spectroscopy.