Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Atmospheric optics is "the study of the optical characteristics of the atmosphere or products of atmospheric processes .... [including] temporal and spatial resolutions beyond those discernible with the naked eye". [1] Meteorological optics is "that part of atmospheric optics concerned with the study of patterns observable with the naked eye". [2]
We now turn to calculating the effect of CO 2 on radiation, using a one-layer model, i.e. we treat the whole troposphere as a single layer: [3] Looking at a particular wavelength λ up to λ+dλ, the whole atmosphere has an optical depth OD, while the tropopause has an optical depth 0.12*OD; the troposphere has an optical depth of 0.88*OD.
Common optical phenomena are often due to the interaction of light from the Sun or Moon with the atmosphere, clouds, water, dust, and other particulates. One common example is the rainbow , when light from the Sun is reflected and refracted by water droplets.
Diagram showing displacement of the Sun's image at sunrise and sunset Comparison of inferior and superior mirages due to differing air refractive indices, n. Atmospheric refraction is the deviation of light or other electromagnetic wave from a straight line as it passes through the atmosphere due to the variation in air density as a function of height. [1]
Atmospheric windows are useful for astronomy, remote sensing, telecommunications and other science and technology applications. In the study of the greenhouse effect, the term atmospheric window may be limited to mean the infrared window, which is the primary escape route for a fraction of the thermal radiation emitted near the surface.
Atmospheric optical phenomena include: Afterglow; Airglow; Alexander's band, the dark region between the two bows of a double rainbow. Alpenglow; Anthelion; Anticrepuscular rays; Aurora (northern and southern lights, aurora borealis and aurora australis) Belt of Venus; Brocken Spectre; Circumhorizontal arc; Circumzenithal arc; Cloud iridescence ...
A key parameter is the distribution of the number of particles with respect to their size. Other microphysical parameters involving the characterization of aerosols are the mean (effective) radius, the total volume and surface-area concentration, the complex refractive index and the single-scattering albedo (climate forcing).
Atmospheric inversion layer below eye level; surface colder than air: The higher the eye, the more likely; flash is most obvious when the eye is just above the inversion. Sub‑duct flash: Large upper part of an hourglass-shaped Sun turns green for up to 15 seconds; Observer below a strong atmospheric inversion