On the radiation characteristics of the atmosphere during MINOS
Amit Teller1, Eliezer Ganor1, Krzysztof Markowicz2
and Zev Levin1
1 Department of geophysics and Planetary Science, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel
2 Institute of Geophysics, University of Warsaw, Poland
Two Kipp & Zonnen pyranometers (measuring from 0.34 to 3 microns) were installed on
a King Air airplane. One of the instruments was mounted on the top, for measuring
incoming direct solar radiation and diffused radiation and one on the bottom of
the airplane for measuring the reflected and scattered radiation from the surface
and the atmosphere below. The measurements were conducted north of the Island of
Crete during the MINOS campaign and were carried out by flying in horizontal legs
at different elevations from 150 m to 6000 m.
From the data collected by the two pyranometers, the albedo was calculated as a
function of height and was compared with the aerosol size spectra, concentrations
and chemical composition that were measured with the other aerosol instruments on board.
The study will also compare the measured vertical profile of albedo with results
obtained from a radiative transfer model. These calculations will help to determine
the absorption of the aerosols above the measuring height, an important factor in the
aerosol forcing in the atmosphere.
The research flights were carried out during 6, 7, and 9th of August 2001. The airborne
measurements were compared with those carried out at the ground station in Finokalia
(located in the northern side of Crete island). This was done by flying very close to,
and at the same height of the station.
The measurements show the increase in albedo with height and the increase in upward
radiation flux due to scattering of radiation by pollution particles at the lower levels.
The analysis of these measurements and the model calculations are still continuing and
will be discussed during the conference.