National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Publication Abstracts

Lacis and Hansen 1974

Lacis, A.A., and J.E. Hansen, 1974: A parameterization for the absorption of solar radiation in the Earth's atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 31, 118-133, doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1974)031<0118:APFTAO>2.0.CO;2.

A method is described for rapidly computing the amount of solar energy absorbed at the earth's surface and in the atmosphere as a function of altitude. The method is a parametric treatment, but the form of the solution and the coefficients involved are based on accurate multiple-scattering computations. In this treatment the absorption varies with the amount and type of clouds, the humidity, the zenith angle of the Sun, and the albedo of the earth's surface. Within the stratosphere the absorption also depends on the vertical distribution of ozone.

This parameterization for solar radiation is being used in current versions of the global atmospheric circulation model developed at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

• Get PDF (1.2 MB. Document is scanned, no OCR.)
• PDF documents require the free Adobe Reader or compatible viewing software to be viewed.
• Go to journal article webpage

Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]

@article{la05000n,
  author={Lacis, A. A. and Hansen, J. E.},
  title={A parameterization for the absorption of solar radiation in the Earth's atmosphere},
  year={1974},
  journal={J. Atmos. Sci.},
  volume={31},
  pages={118--133},
  doi={10.1175/1520-0469(1974)031%3C0118%3AAPFTAO%3E2.0.CO;2},
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - la05000n
AU  - Lacis, A. A.
AU  - Hansen, J. E.
PY  - 1974
TI  - A parameterization for the absorption of solar radiation in the Earth's atmosphere
JA  - J. Atmos. Sci.
VL  - 31
SP  - 118
EP  - 133
DO  - 10.1175/1520-0469(1974)031%3C0118%3AAPFTAO%3E2.0.CO;2
ER  -

• Return to 1974 Publications

• Return to Publications Homepage