Abstract The climatic impact of the stratospheric aerosol depends on their extinction profile and optical depths, in the solar and longwave spectrum, on their single scattering albedo and on the asymmetry factor of their phase function. These radiative characteristics are commanded by the size distribution and refractive index. The multiwavelength satellite extinction measurements can be used to retrieve information on the size distribution, and therefore on the radiative characteristics. Results from SAGE I are analyzed, both for the unperturbed and for the volcanic stratosphere. SAGE II, with more channels, is expected to provide a better description of the aerosol characteristics. The polarization of the diffuse radiation is very sensitive to the refractive index and to the size distribution; results of balloon measurements are presented.
Detection of stratospheric aerosol characteristics in relation with climate impact
Advances in Space Research ; 6 , 10 ; 63-72
1986-01-01
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch