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Longwave Radiation Focus Area
 The radiation from the Earth's surface and from within the atmosphere plays a big part in the Earth's radiation budget. Longwave radiation originates on Earth with a much longer wavelength (0.2 to 200 mm) than solar radiation. A key instrument for studies of radiative transfer is the atmospheric emitted radiance interferometer (AERI). The instrument measures infrared radiances with high accuracy and spectral resolution. The AERI is essential for experiments on the effects of greenhouse gases, clouds and fine particles on atmospheric transmission, absorption and emission of infrared radiation.

Instruments that Measure Longwave Radiation
  • AERI at central facility - infrared (IR) radiances
  • SIRS at extended facilities (including one at central facility) - downwelling and upwelling hemispherical irradiances above grasslands
  • 60-m tower at central facility - upwelling hemispherical irradiance above wheat field, from height of 25 m
Longwave Radiation Measurements

Radiation, IR radiance spectra ensemble (1800-3020 cm-1), mean
Radiation, IR radiance spectra ensemble (520-1800 cm-1), mean
Radiation, IR radiance spectra ensemble, std. dev.
Radiation, IR radiances for short- and longwave wavenumbers, mean
Radiation, downwelling hemispheric infrared irradiance
Radiation, longwave scene radiance spectral averages (AERI Ch1)
Radiation, longwave scene variability spectral averages (AERI Ch1)
Radiation, net