Abstract

The equilibrium radiance model, which assumes constancy in the source function along the path of sight, predicts equilibrium radiance as a function of the angle from the sun. Measurements made at all altitudes in the troposphere of cloudless sky radiance in the visible spectrum consistently support this prediction. As a result, sky radiances can be used to obtain (1) vertical space-to-sensor scattering transmittance, (2) equilibrium radiance, and (3) path radiance through the atmosphere and in the troposphere. Comparisons are made of the constant equilibrium radiance model predictions of sky radiance, irradiance, and equilibrium radiance to (1) other models for the Rayleigh atmosphere, and (2) to measurements in the troposphere for thin atmospheres. The agreements are good.

© 1984 Optical Society of America

Equilibrium-reflectance model for clear or cloudy atmosphere

Jacqueline I. Gordon and Richard W. Johnson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 1(8) 860-868 (1984)

Model for a Clear Atmosphere*

Jacqueline I. Gordon
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 59(1) 14-18 (1969)

Atmospheric transmittance determination from sky radiance in real time in the tropics

Lee A. Young
Appl. Opt. 23(3) 396-401 (1984)

Measuring Earth-to-Space Contrast Transmittance from Ground Stations

Jacqueline I. Gordon, James L. Harris, and Seibert Q. Duntley
Appl. Opt. 12(6) 1317-1324 (1973)

Integrating nephelometer: theory and implications

Jacqueline I. Gordon and Richard W. Johnson
Appl. Opt. 24(16) 2721-2730 (1985)