Abstract

The spectral distribution and total intensity of the earth’s radiation to space is of interest in the design of instrumentation systems for satellites and in the computation of radiant heat transfer to a satellite. In the absence of sufficient experimental data, an analytical model has been derived covering several types of atmospheric conditions. The necessary equations and relationships are derived, and some results (based on a 1959 ARDC model atmosphere) are presented for several different cloud conditions. An estimate of the appearance of the earth’s infrared horizon is also presented.

© 1962 Optical Society of America

Optical Measurements from High Altitude Balloons

David G. Murcray, James N. Brooks, Norman J. Sible, and Herbert C. Westdal
Appl. Opt. 1(2) 121-128 (1962)

Infrared Satellite Radiometry

F. F. Hall and C. V. Stanley
Appl. Opt. 1(2) 97-104 (1962)

Recent Developments in Infrared Technology

Stanley S. Ballard and William L. Wolfe
Appl. Opt. 1(5) 547-557 (1962)

Variation of the Infrared Spectral Radiance near the Limb of the Earth

D. Q. Wark, J. Alishouse, and G. Yamamoto
Appl. Opt. 3(2) 221-227 (1964)

Inflight Satellite Measurements of Infrared Spectral Radiance of the Earth

Louis C. Block and Alex S. Zachor
Appl. Opt. 3(2) 209-214 (1964)