Absorption in the Atmosphere by the Oxygen “A” Band

The detailed spectral absorptances by atmospheric slant paths in the oxygen “A” band have been calculated, using parameters deduced from very high- and medium-resolution spectra and from available data. Special attention is given to the potential use of satellite measurements of sunlight reflected from clouds to determine their heights. A complete table of wavelengths and other line parameters has been prepared, based largely upon the work of Babcock and Herzberg; lines of the O16O18, O16O17, and O216 have been included. From the equivalent widths of several lines and from an iterative calculation and comparison procedure, it was found that the Einstein coefficient for the band transition is Amn = 0.145 sec−1. From a standard atmosphere the absorptance in two selected intervals as functions of height (or pressure level) of the reflecting surface and of the slant angle have been calculated, employing point-by-point calculation and quadrature. It is found that over most of the atmosphere cloud heights can be determined to better than 1 km if the errors of measurement do not exceed 4%. The dependence of the absorptance on the vertical temperature profile is shown to be small.

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