NOAA-ERL (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Environmental Researach Laboratories) Solar UV (Ultraviolet) Radiation and Climate Researh Project: Program Description and Progress Report

摘要

Research of the temporal variations of solar ultraviolet radiation is reviewed. Progress on a collaborative program to analyze Dr. D. F. Heath's NIMBUS-7 SBUV measurements of the solar UV spectral irradiance is summarized. Significant progress has been made on determining the wavelength and temporal characteristics of UV variations caused by solar active region evolution (birth, growth, peak, decay and occasionally rejuvenation) and by solar rotation (area foreshortening, center-to-limb darkening and limb occulation). Work on trying to corroborate an observed semiannual UV variation has commenced. Extensive progress on modeling solar UV variations has been achieved. Support for improved rocket-flight measurements of solar UV spectral irradiance is discussed. The importance of obtaining accurate recalibration is stressed. Recalibration flights are needed to permit accurate intercomparison of the NIMBUS-7 solar UV measurements at the maximum of solar cycle 21 with the SUBV/2 measurements planned for the upcoming solar minimum and for solar cycle 22.