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Zenith Angle (zenith + angle)
Kinds of Zenith Angle Selected AbstractsImage-intensified video results from the 1998 Leonid shower: I. Atmospheric trajectories and physical structureMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 6 2000M. D. CAMPBELL Precise heights and light curves were obtained for 79 Leonid meteors that ranged in brightness (at maximum luminosity) from +0.3 to +6.1 astronomical magnitude. The mean photometric mass of the data sample was 1.4 × 10,6 kg. The dependence of astronomical magnitude at peak luminosity on photometric mass and zenith angle was consistent with earlier studies of faint sporadic meteors. For example, a Leonid meteoroid with a photometric mass of ,1.0 × 10- 7 kg corresponds to a peak meteor luminosity of about +4.5 astronomical magnitudes. The mean beginning height of the Leonid meteors in this sample was 112.6 km and the mean ending height was 95.3 km. The highest beginning height observed was 144.3 km. There is relatively little dependence of either the first or last heights on mass, which is indicative of meteoroids that have clustered into constituent grains prior to the onset of intensive grain ablation. The height distribution, combined with numerical modelling of the ablation of the meteoroids, suggests that silicate-like materials are not the principal component of Leonid meteoroids and hints at the presence of a more volatile component. Light curves of many Leonid meteors were examined for evidence of the physical structure of the associated meteoroids: similar to the 1997 Leonid meteors, the narrow, nearly symmetric curves imply that the meteoroids are not solid objects. The light curves are consistent with a dustball structure. [source] A feasibility study of daytime fog and low stratus detection with TERRA/AQUA-MODIS over landMETEOROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2006Jörg Bendix Abstract A scheme for the detection of fog and low stratus over land during daytime based on data of the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument is presented. The method is based on an initial threshold test procedure in the MODIS solar bands 1,7 (0.62,2.155µm). Fog and low stratus detection generally relies on the definition of minimum and maximum fog and low stratus properties, which are converted to spectral thresholds by means of radiative transfer calculations (RTC). Extended sensitivity studies reveal that thresholds mainly depend on the solar zenith angle and, hence, illumination-dependent threshold functions are developed. Areas covered by snow, ice and mid-/high-level clouds as well as bright/hazy land surfaces are omitted from the initial classification result by means of a subsequent cloud-top height test based on MODIS IR band 31 (at 12 µm) and a NIR/VIS ratio test. The validation of the final fog and low stratus mask generally shows a satisfactory performance of the scheme. Validation problems occur due to the late overpass time of the TERRA platform and the time lag between SYNOP and satellite observations. Apparent misclassifications are mainly found at the edge of the fog layers, probably due to over- or underestimation of fog and low stratus cover in the transition zone from fog to haze. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society. [source] A fast computation of the secondary ion production in the ionosphere of MarsMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2009William P. Nicholson ABSTRACT We present an analytic method for the rapid computation of secondary ion and electron production due to electron impact as suprathermal electrons produced by primary photoproduction propagate through the neutral background Martian atmosphere. We use a one-dimensional kinetic model, Trans -Mars, that solves a stationary Boltzmann transport equation to describe the ionosphere of Mars with the neutral background atmosphere (temperatures, number densities and geopotential heights) provided by a three-dimensional global circulation model, MarTIM. Parameters are given to allow the rapid computation of secondary ion production for 11 ion species (CO+2, CO++2, CO+, C+, N+2, N++2, N+, O+2, O++2, O+, O++) as well as for the secondary electron production. We use the neutral global circulation model to show that while the efficiency (,) of ion and electron production (ratio of secondary to primary production) does vary with solar zenith angle it can be parametrized with a simple function, which is given. We also show that variations with solar cycle and solar longitude are negligible about the region of the primary and secondary production peaks. [source] Hard X-ray emission of the Earth's atmosphere: Monte Carlo simulationsMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2007S. Sazonov ABSTRACT We perform Monte Carlo simulations of cosmic ray-induced hard X-ray radiation from the Earth's atmosphere. We find that the shape of the spectrum emergent from the atmosphere in the energy range 25,300 keV is mainly determined by Compton scatterings and photoabsorption, and is almost insensitive to the incident cosmic ray spectrum. We provide a fitting formula for the hard X-ray surface brightness of the atmosphere as would be measured by a satellite-borne instrument, as a function of energy, solar modulation level, geomagnetic cut-off rigidity and zenith angle. A recent measurement by the INTEGRAL observatory of the atmospheric hard X-ray flux during the occultation of the cosmic X-ray background by the Earth agrees with our prediction within 10 per cent. This suggests that Earth observations could be used for in-orbit calibration of future hard X-ray telescopes. We also demonstrate that the hard X-ray spectra generated by cosmic rays in the crusts of the Moon, Mars and Mercury should be significantly different from that emitted by the Earth's atmosphere. [source] Action Spectrum Conversion Factors that Change Erythemally Weighted to Previtamin D3 -weighted UV Doses,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Stanley J. Pope Many solar UV measurements, either terrestrial or personal, weight the raw data by the erythemal action spectrum. However, a problem arises when one tries to estimate the benefit of vitamin D3 production based on erythemally weighted outdoor doses, like those measured by calibrated R-B meters or polysulphone badges, because the differences between action spectra give dissimilar values. While both action spectra peak in the UVB region, the erythemal action spectrum continues throughout the UVA region while the previtamin D3 action spectrum stops near that boundary. When one uses the previtamin D3 action spectrum to weight the solar spectra (Deff), one gets a different contribution in W m,2 than what the erythemally weighted data predicts (Eeff). Thus, to do proper benefit assessments, one must incorporate action spectrum conversion factors (ASCF) into the calculations to change erythemally weighted to previtamin D3 -weighted doses. To date, all benefit assessments for vitamin D3 production in human skin from outdoor exposures are overestimates because they did not account for the different contributions of each action spectrum with changing solar zenith angle and ozone and they did not account for body geometry. Here we describe how to normalize the ratios of the effective irradiances (Deff/Eeff) to get ASCF that change erythemally weighted to previtamin D3 -weighted doses. We also give the ASCF for each season of the year in the northern hemisphere every 5° from 30°N to 60°N, based on ozone values. These ASCF, along with geometry conversion factors and other information, can give better vitamin D3 estimates from erythemally weighted outdoor doses. [source] Analytic Formula for the Clear-sky UV IndexPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Sasha Madronich An approximate formula for the UV Index (UVI) under cloud-free, unpolluted, low surface albedo conditions is: where ,o is the cosine of the solar zenith angle and , is the total vertical ozone column (in Dobson Units, DU). The dependence on ,o and , is based on a simple physical model of biologically weighted atmospheric transmission in the UV-B and UV-A spectral bands, with coefficients tuned to a detailed radiative transfer model, and is accurate to 10% or better over 0,60° and 200,400 DU. Other factors (clouds, haze, ground, etc.) mostly conserve this dependence and scale simply. [source] Dosimetric and Spectroradiometric Investigations of Glass-Filtered Solar UV,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Alfio V. Parisi The aims of this study were to investigate how glass-filtered UV irradiances vary with glass thickness, lamination of the glass and the effect of solar zenith angle (SZA), and to measure the glass-filtered UV exposures to different receiving planes with a newly developed UVA dosimeter. Spectroradiometric and dosimetric techniques were employed in the experimental approach. The percentage of the glass-filtered solar UV compared to the unfiltered UV ranged from 59% to 70% and was influenced to a small extent by the glass thickness and the SZA. The laminated glass transmitted 11,12% and the windscreen glass transmitted 2.5,2.6%. The influence of the SZA was less for the thicker glass than it was for the thinner glass. The change in transmission was less than 14% for the SZA between 48° and 71°. There was a negligible influence due to the SZA on the glass-transmitted UV of the laminated and windscreen glass. The influence of the glass thickness in the range of 2,6 mm on the percentage transmission was less than 16%. The influence of the glass thickness and the SZA on the glass-transmitted UV has been incorporated in the use of a UVA dosimeter for the glass-transmitted UV exposures. The UVA dosimeter was employed in the field to measure the glass-filtered UV exposures to different receiving planes. The UVA dosimeter has the potential for personal solar UVA exposure measurements. [source] Effect of Cloud Cover on UVB Exposure Under Tree Canopies: Will Climate Change Affect UVB Exposure?PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Richard H. Grant ABSTRACT The effect of cloud cover on the amount of solar UV radiation that reaches pedestrians under tree cover was evaluated with a three-dimensional canopy radiation transport model. The spatial distribution of UVB irradiance at the base of a regular array of spherical tree crowns was modeled under the full range of sky conditions. The spatial mean relative irradiance (I), and erythemal irradiance of the entire below-canopy domain and the spatial mean relative irradiance and erythemal irradiance in the shaded regions of the domain were determined for solar zenith angles from 15° to 60°. The erythemal UV irradiance under skies with 50% or less cloud cover was not remarkably different from that under clear skies. In the shade, the actual irradiance was greater under partly cloudy than under clear skies. The mean ultraviolet protection factor for tree canopies under skies with 50% or less cloud cover was nearly equivalent to that for clear sky days. Regression equations of spatially averaged Ir. as a function of cloud cover fraction, solar zenith angle and canopy cover were used to predict the variation in erythemal irradiance in different land uses across Baltimore, MD. [source] Albedo, atmospheric solar absorption and heating rate measurements with stacked UAVsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 629 2007M. V. Ramana Abstract This paper reports unique measurements of albedo, atmospheric solar absorption, and heating rates in the visible (0.4 to 0.7 µm) and broadband (0.3 to 2.8 µm) spectral regions using vertically stacked multiple lightweight autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The most significant finding of this study is that when absorbing aerosols and water vapour concentrations are measured accurately and accounted for in models, and when heating rates are measured directly with stacked aircraft, the simulated clear sky heating rates are consistent with the observed broadband heating rates within experimental errors (about 15%). We conclude that there is no need to invoke anomalous or excess absorption or unknown physics in clear skies. Aerosol,radiation,cloud measurements were made over the tropical Indian Ocean within the lowest 3 km of the atmosphere during the Maldives Autonomous UAV Campaign (MAC). The UAVs and ground-based remote sensing instruments determined most of the parameters required for calculating the albedo and vertical distribution of solar fluxes. The paper provides a refined analytical procedure to reduce errors and biases due to the offset errors arising from mounting of the radiometers on the aircraft and due to the aircraft attitude. Measured fluxes have been compared with those derived from a Monte-Carlo radiative transfer algorithm which can incorporate both gaseous and aerosol components. Under cloud-free conditions the calculated and measured incoming fluxes agree within 2,10 W m,2 (<1%) depending upon the altitudes. Similarly, the measured and calculated reflected fluxes agreed within 2,5 W m,2 (<5%). The analysis focuses on a cloud-free day when the air was polluted due to long-range transport from India, and the mean aerosol optical depth (AOD) was 0.31 and mean single scattering albedo was 0.92. The UAV-measured absorption AOD was 0.019 which agreed within 20% of the value of 0.024 reported by a ground-based instrument. The observed and simulated solar absorption agreed within 5% above 1.0 km and aerosol absorption accounted for 30% to 50% of the absorption depending upon the altitude and solar zenith angle. Thus there was no need to invoke spurious or anomalous absorption, provided we accounted for aerosol black carbon. The diurnal mean absorption values for altitudes between 0.5 and 3.0 km above mean sea level were observed to be 41 ± 3 W m,2 (1.5 K/day) in the broadband region and 8 ± 2 W m,2 (0.3 K/day) in the visible region. The contribution of absorbing aerosols to the heating rate was an order of magnitude larger than the contribution of CO2 and one-third that of the water vapour. In the lowest 3 km of the tropical atmosphere, aerosols accounted for more than 80% of the atmospheric absorption in the visible region. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Reviving a neglected celestial underwater polarization compass for aquatic animalsBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2006Talbot H. Waterman ABSTRACT Substantial in situ measurements on clear days in a variety of marine environments at depths in the water down to 200 m have demonstrated the ubiquitous daytime presence of sun-related e-vector (= plane of polarization) patterns. In most lines of sight the e-vectors tilt from horizontal towards the sun at angles equal to the apparent underwater refracted zenith angle of the sun. A maximum tilt-angle of approximately 48.5°, is reached in horizontal lines of sight at 90° to the sun's bearing (the plane of incidence). This tilt limit is set by Snell's window, when the sun is on the horizon. The biological literature since the 1980s has been pervaded with assumptions that daytime aquatic e-vectors are mainly horizontal. This review attempts to set the record straight concerning the potential use of underwater e-vectors as a visual compass and to reopen the field to productive research on aquatic animals' orientation and navigation. [source] Effect of Cloud Cover on UVB Exposure Under Tree Canopies: Will Climate Change Affect UVB Exposure?PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Richard H. Grant ABSTRACT The effect of cloud cover on the amount of solar UV radiation that reaches pedestrians under tree cover was evaluated with a three-dimensional canopy radiation transport model. The spatial distribution of UVB irradiance at the base of a regular array of spherical tree crowns was modeled under the full range of sky conditions. The spatial mean relative irradiance (I), and erythemal irradiance of the entire below-canopy domain and the spatial mean relative irradiance and erythemal irradiance in the shaded regions of the domain were determined for solar zenith angles from 15° to 60°. The erythemal UV irradiance under skies with 50% or less cloud cover was not remarkably different from that under clear skies. In the shade, the actual irradiance was greater under partly cloudy than under clear skies. The mean ultraviolet protection factor for tree canopies under skies with 50% or less cloud cover was nearly equivalent to that for clear sky days. Regression equations of spatially averaged Ir. as a function of cloud cover fraction, solar zenith angle and canopy cover were used to predict the variation in erythemal irradiance in different land uses across Baltimore, MD. [source] Impacts of formaldehyde photolysis rates on tropospheric chemistryATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 1 2010M. C. Cooke Abstract A global chemistry transport model is employed to investigate the impact of recent laboratory determinations of photolysis parameters for formaldehyde on concentrations of tropospheric trace gases. Using the new laboratory data, the photolysis of formaldehyde is a more significant removal pathway. HOx levels are increased with the greatest changes towards the top of the troposphere and the poles, making formaldehyde a more significant source of upper tropospheric HOx than previously thought. Global totals of ozone and secondary organic aerosol increase with the rise in ozone being more significant at higher solar zenith angles. 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