A simple instrument and technique for measuring columnar water vapor via near-IR differential solar transmission measurements

J. A. Reagan, K. Thome, B. Herman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A simple two-channel solar radiometer and data retrieval technique is described for sensing the columnar content of atmospheric water vapor via differential solar transmission measurements in and adjacent to the 940 nm water vapor absorption band. The instrument features two parallel channels for simultaneous measurements in and out of the absorption band to eliminate temporal variability effects in the differential comparison of the data from the two channels. The water vapor transmittance is determined by a modified Langley plot analysis of the ratio of the two channel signals. A statistical band model which closely follows the square-root law is then used to extract the columnar water vapor amount from the water vapor band transmittance. Water vapor retrievals obtained by this simple ratio analysis and band model generally agree to within 10% with radiosonde measurements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDigest - International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Editors Anon
PublisherPubl by IEEE
Pages903-906
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)0879426756
StatePublished - 1991
Event1991 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium - IGARSS'91 - Espoo, Finl
Duration: Jun 3 1991Jun 6 1991

Publication series

NameDigest - International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Volume2

Other

Other1991 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium - IGARSS'91
CityEspoo, Finl
Period6/3/916/6/91

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

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