A Photoelectric Sunshine Recorder

Foster, Norman B.; Foskett, Laurence W.

doi:10.1175/1520-0477-34.5.212

Cited by 23 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The Maring–Marvin sunshine recorders were once again replaced in 1953 by new instruments based on a photoelectric switch, designed by N. B. Foster and L. W. Foskett [ Foster and Foskett , ; Michalsky , ]. These in turn were removed from the meteorological stations in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which meant the end of the SD series in the United States.…”

Section: Sunshine Duration Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The signal of aerosol‐induced changes in sunshine duration records: A review of the evidence

et al. 2014

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Aerosols play a significant yet complex and central role in the Earth's radiation budget, and knowledge of long-term changes in the atmospheric turbidity induced by aerosols is therefore fundamental for a better understanding of climate change. However, there is little available information on changes in aerosol concentration in the atmosphere, especially prior to the 1980s. The present paper reviews publications reporting the suitability of sunshine duration records with regard to detecting changes in atmospheric aerosols. Some of the studies reviewed propose methods for estimating aerosol-related magnitudes, such as turbidity, from sunshine deficit at approximately sunrise and sunset, when the impact of aerosols on the solar beam is more easily observed. In addition, there is abundant evidence that one cause of the decadal changes observed in sunshine duration records involves variations in atmospheric aerosol loading. Possible directions for future research are also suggested: in particular, detailed studies of the burn (not only its length but also its width) registered by means of Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorders may provide a way of creating time series of atmospheric aerosol loading metrics dating back to over 120 years from the present.

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Section: Sunshine Duration Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The signal of aerosol‐induced changes in sunshine duration records: A review of the evidence

et al. 2014

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“…The sunshine recorders used in the United States are on-off types of devices, using the Marvin sunshine switch or the Foster-Foskett photo-electric switch (Foster and Foskett, 1953). These switches will not respond to those few thin cirrus clouds that may cast shadows and would be reported by a ground-based observer.…”

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confidence: 99%

Use of percentage of possible sunshine data to prepare automated forecasts of sky cover and to verify plain language forecasts

Yacowar¹

1980

Atmosphere-Ocean

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Surveys have indicated a general misunderstanding by the public of many of the sky cover terms used in weather forecasts. This difficulty often carries over to the forecast staff. Reports of hours of bright sunshine were used in the Québec ForecastOffice to attempt to improve the understanding of sky cover terminology. Sunshine data received on a near real-time basis were converted to percent of possible sunshine. A preliminary survey was made in the Québec Forecast Office, followed by a national survey in which all of the other Canadian forecast meteorologists were asked to provide their views on the relationships between sky cover terminology and percentage of possible sunshine. Based on the survey results it was possible to quantify plain language forecasts and consequently to develop techniques to verify them objectively, as well as to prepare computer-produced forecasts. It is proposed that forecasts of hours of bright sunshine or of percent of possible sunshine be used to replace currently misunderstood and often misused terminology. RÉSUMÉ Des sondages ont révélé une incompréhension générale du public concernant plusieurs termes décrivant l'état du ciel utilisés dans les bulletins météorologiques. Cette difficulté est souvent éprouvée aussi par le personnel météorologique. Des messages portant sur l'ensoleillement ont été utilisés par le Centre de prévision du Québec pour tenter d'améliorer la compréhension de la terminologie de l'état du ciel. Les données sur l'ensoleillement, reçues pendant qu'elles étaient encore d'actualité, sont converties enpourcent d'ensoleillement possible. Un sondage préliminaire a eu lieu au Centre de prévision du Québec. Il a été suivi d'un autre sondage mené sur le plan national, auquel tous les prévisionnistes canadiens ont été appelés à exprimer leurs opinions sur la relation existante entre la terminologie de l'état du ciel et le pourcentage d'ensoleillement possible. Sur la base des conclusions des sondages il a été possible de chiffrer le langage des prévisions et par conséquent, dé développer des moyens de vérification par des méthodes objec-*Present affiliation: Canadian Meteorological Centre, Atmospheric Environment Service, Dorval, P.Q. II8/N. Yacowar tives, ainsi que de préparer des prévisions informatisées. Il est recommandé que les prévisions des heures de plein soleil ou du pourcent d'ensoleillement possible soient utilisées pour remplacer une terminologie qui actuelle ment fait défaut sur le plan de la compréhension générale. IntroductionThe present study began in the Québec Forecast Office in the spring of 1977. At that time there was considerable disagreement concerning the meaning of terms used to describe sky cover. Efforts were made to limit the number of such terms. These restrictions were adhered to for a short while but were discontinued when the meteorologists complained they could not adequately present their estimation of the expected sky cover.Natnm (1979) concluded that the benefit of accurate forecasts and timely warnings is lost when those receivi...

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Solar Energy Measurements

Muneer

Tham

2013

Handbook of Measurement in Science and Engineering

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Solar radiation and daylight are essential for life on earth. Solar radiation affects the earth's weather processes that determine the natural environment. Its presence at the earth's surface is necessary for the provision of food for mankind. Thus, it is important to be able to understand the physics of solar radiation and daylight and also to measure the latter with precision and repeatability. The understanding of the climatological study of radiation and collection of relevant data is comparatively new. Until 1960, there were only three stations in North–West Europe with irradiation records exceeding a 25‐year period. Similarly, daylight was not recorded on a continuous basis. Furthermore, until 1991, there were records of vertical irradiance and illuminance for very few locations around the world. However, in response to the call made by Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE), the year 1991 was declared the International Daylight Measurement Year, and this led to a worldwide effort to measure solar irradiance and illuminance. New calibration standards were thus revised, and quality control procedures for measured data were set in place.This chapter provides a historical review of the relevant research and development of solar metrology, instruments, their calibration and physical sensitivities, and quality control (QC) procedures and brings together all the recent modeling work related to solar irradiance that is much needed for the QC of large measured data sets.

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A Photoelectric Sunshine Recorder

Cited by 23 publications

References 2 publications

The signal of aerosol‐induced changes in sunshine duration records: A review of the evidence

The signal of aerosol‐induced changes in sunshine duration records: A review of the evidence

Use of percentage of possible sunshine data to prepare automated forecasts of sky cover and to verify plain language forecasts

Solar Energy Measurements

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