Cloudy-sky optical pathlength distributions as derived from oxygen A-band observations

Oliver Funk; Hartmut Boesch; F. Erle; H. J. Veitel; Ulrich Platt; K. Pfeilsticker

doi:10.1117/12.301171

1 January 1997 Cloudy-sky optical pathlength distributions as derived from oxygen A-band observations

Oliver Funk, Hartmut Boesch, F. Erle, H. J. Veitel, Ulrich Platt, K. Pfeilsticker

Proceedings Volume 3220, Satellite Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere II; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301171
Event: Aerospace Remote Sensing '97, 1997, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Using high resolution spectroscopy of the atmospheric oxygen A-band rotational absorption lines (760-780 run}, the probability distribution of optical pathlengths were derived for clear and cloudy skies. A large enhancement of the mean optical pathlength and a systematic change in the form of the probability distribution is found for the cloudy sky. Our observations are compatible with Gamma type distributions. The measurements are compared with a radiative transfer model in order to validate the treatment of the multiple Mie-scattering in clouds. Our measurements show a significant discrepancy compared to a model (DISORT) assuming plane parallel homogenous cloudiness. Larger cloudy sky optical paths may contribute to explain the intensely debated anomalous cloud absorption. These measurements can serve as direct input for atmospheric heating calculations. Keywords: multiple Mie scattering, heterogeneous clouds, oxygen A-band, Gamma distribution

Citation Download Citation

Oliver Funk, Hartmut Boesch, F. Erle, H. J. Veitel, Ulrich Platt, and K. Pfeilsticker "Cloudy-sky optical pathlength distributions as derived from oxygen A-band observations", Proc. SPIE 3220, Satellite Remote Sensing of Clouds and the Atmosphere II, (1 January 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301171

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