Infrared Airglow and Contamination Modeling
Abstract
This report describes work performed to evaluate our understanding of infrared (IR) atmospheric phenomenology through comprehensive analysis of spectral and in-band radiance field data. Computer models of atmospheric IR radiation used for these analyses include the standard AFRL codes MODTRAN, SHARC, and SAMM. MODTRAN is a rapid, local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) code for low- to moderate-resolution spectra. SHARC calculates emission and transmission spectra in the 2 - 40 micrometers region for arbitrary line-of-sight (LOS) paths between 50 and 300 km for both quiescent and auroral conditions. SAMM is the result of integrating MODTRAN and SHARC into a single, seamless code with a unified and correlated radiative transport algorithm applicable at altitudes from ground to 300 km. Detailed comparisons of the models with spectral and in-band radiance data from the CIRRIS-1A Shuttle experiment demonstrate the predictive capabilities of the background models, as well as the variability of IR atmospheric radiance over time and geographic location. In addition, MODTRAN upgrades which address the data/model comparisons and the investigation into the accuracy of MODTRAN in selected radiation transfer applications are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA405178
Entities
People
- A. Berk
- L. S. Bernstein
- P. K. Acharya
- S. M. Adler-golden