Standard values of the solar constant and extraterrestrial solar spectrum are reviewed. In the visible and near uv, this listing of average irradiance over 100-A bandwidths at 50-A intervals was found to be inadequate for many applications. A more detailed spectrum obtained from solar scans with a Perkin-Elmer, Model 112 monochromator was found to give sufficient detail. A normalization program was developed to make the Perkin-Elmer curve agree with the standard curve. Values of extraterrestrial solar spectral irradiance at 1-A intervals in the range 3000-6100 A have been derived. The results are presented in tabular form and as spectral charts.
Measurements of the solar constant and solar spectrum were made from a research aircraft flying at 11.58 km, above almost all of the highly variable and absorbing constituents of the atmosphere. A wide range of solar zenith angles was covered during six flights for over 14 h of observation. Results are presented from nine different instruments which complemented each other in measuring techniques and wavelength range and were calibrated and operated by different experimenters. A new value of the solar constant, 135.1 mW cm(-2), has been derived, as well as a revised solar spectral irradiance curve for zero air mass.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.