Inference of Atmospheric Structure from Remote Radiation Measurements*

A detailed analysis of the structure of the atmosphere, including the three-dimensional distribution of temperature and water vapor, can be obtained from the spectral variation of its thermal radiation as viewed from a reconnaissance aircraft or earth satellite. In order that the measurements be capable of unambiguous interpretation, however, it is essential that the selection of spectral intervals to be used are based on a carefully planned interpretation scheme.A possible program is outlined, in which the temperature distribution is obtained by measurements in the 15-μ CO2 band and the water vapor distribution obtained by simultaneous measurements in the rotational band. The temperature-and-pressure dependence of the absorption coefficients must be taken into account.The instrument should be a multiple-slit or multiple-detector grating spectrometer, capable of resolving 10 cm−1 at 15 μ.Spectral models and methods of analysis of the spectra are discussed briefly.