UJF

Deliverable 8.7 [Modelling]
The importance of polarisation in calculations of radiance and irradiance
UJF has submitted a report on the importance of polarisation in calculations of radiance and irradiance. At UV wavelengths in clear atmospheres molecular scattering is dominant and has a strong polarising effect. The error in numerical calculations of radiance can then be significant if polarisation is neglected. The magnitude of the error in radiance calculations varies with the direction of observation. Values are underestimated by about 8% near to Sun, and overestimated by a similar amount near 90° from the Sun. For irradiance the error is found to be negligible, due to compensation between the contribution from different directions. The importance of polarisation in calculations of radiance and irradiance

Deliverable 8.7 [Modelling]

The importance of polarisation in calculations of radiance and irradiance

UJF has submitted a report on the importance of polarisation in calculations of radiance and irradiance.

At UV wavelengths in clear atmospheres molecular scattering is dominant and has a strong polarising effect. The error in numerical calculations of radiance can then be significant if polarisation is neglected.

The magnitude of the error in radiance calculations varies with the direction of observation. Values are underestimated by about 8% near to Sun, and overestimated by a similar amount near 90° from the Sun.

For irradiance the error is found to be negligible, due to compensation between the contribution from different directions.

The importance of polarisation in calculations of radiance and irradiance