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A radiometer‐sonde for observing stratospheric emission due to water vapour in its rotational band
Author(s) -
Brewer A. W.,
Thomson K. P. B.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49709841515
Subject(s) - radiosonde , radiometer , stratosphere , water vapor , environmental science , flux (metallurgy) , atmospheric sciences , microwave radiometer , remote sensing , calibration , meteorology , hygrometer , materials science , physics , humidity , geology , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Abstract A balloon‐borne instrument is described which measures the downward flux from atmospheric water vapour in the 20–60 μm region. The instrument uses a thermistor bolometer as the infra‐red sensor. A special infra‐red filter composed of beryllium oxide embedded in polyethylene provides the desired optical characteristics for the instrument. In‐flight energy calibration is carried out with two reference black bodies. The radiometer‐sonde is flown in conjunction with a conventional radiosonde, which provides atmospheric temperature, and pressure data for the ascent. Results have been obtained from 3 ascents. In the stratosphere the observed flux is consistent with the flux calculated for a water vapour mixing ratio of 2 × 10 −6 , and using published spectral data. The divergence of the flux corresponds to cooling at a rate of 0.4°C/day.