Measurement of the atmospheric spectral radiance at 35 km in the near ultraviolet.
The results of 900 spectral measurements taken at 35 km altitude in the 2800-A to 3600-A wavelength region with 100-A resolution are given and compared with previous work. The instrument was stepped in elevation from 45 degrees below to 70 degrees above the horizon and was rotated in azimuth. The sun varied in elevation angle from zero to 60 degrees . The signal varied by two orders of magnitude with instrument elevation angle, the minimum occurring at +70 degrees and the maximum at -15 degrees (1.5 x 10(-2) W/cm(2) sr micro at 3600 A and the sun at 60 degrees elevation). The radiance level below 3300 A dropped more rapidly with decreasing wavelength for down-looking than for up-looking instrument elevation angles. The radiance varied by a factor of two with azimuth angle, but with a different trend for downward-looking than for upward-looking instrument elevation angles.
Dorian
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General Dynamics Corporation, Convair Division, San Diego, California, USA.
Harshbarger
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