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Analytical formulas for refraction of radiowaves from exoatmospheric sources
Author(s) -
Holleman Iwan,
Huuskonen Asko
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/rds.20030
Subject(s) - refraction , atmospheric refraction , radar , radius , physics , function (biology) , optics , elevation (ballistics) , refractive index , remote sensing , meteorology , geology , computer science , astronomy , telecommunications , computer security , evolutionary biology , biology
We present new analytical formulas for the atmospheric refraction of radiowaves from exoatmospheric sources, such as the Sun. The refraction formulas are derived from the so‐called Effective Earth's Radius Model ( k ‐Model) or 4/3‐Model which is widely used for atmospheric radars. The new formulas for the refraction angle as a function of elevation are compared to numerical results from the atmospheric refraction routines of the Starlink positional astronomy library and to refraction observations of operational weather radars in the Netherlands and Finland. It is concluded that the refraction formulas from the k ‐Model are in good agreement (within 0.02°) with the reference calculations and radar observations. As the k ‐Model is used in numerous radar applications, it is expected that these easy‐to‐use refraction formulas, which are consistent with this physical model, can be of wide use.