Heating rates due to ozone computed by the curtis‐godson approximation

The heating produced by atmospheric ozone is calculated with the use of the Curtis-Godson approximation, and the results are compared with rigorous computations performed on the same data by Hitschfeld and Houghton (1961). Agreement is good near the top and bottom of the ozone layer, while at intermediate heights, where the heating rates are particularly important, the approximation is not so successful. This pattern is confirmed by the use of the strong- and weak-line criteria of Plass (1960). Although the applicability of the Curtis-Godson approximation is thus found to be limited, there can be no question as to its convenience, and a simple radiation diagram for ozone, which makes use of this approximation, is prepared.