Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
New determination of Rayleigh scattering in the terrestrial atmosphere
Abstract:
New Rayleigh-scattering optical thickness values for the terrestrial atmosphere in the 260 < lambda < 1500-nm wavelength range have been calculated using updated data on atmospheric optical parameters. The calculations include molecular scattering from water vapor and take into account varying atmospheric composition with altitude. The new Rayleigh-scattering coefficients average 4.5% lower than those listed by Penndorf in 1955.
Related Concept Videos
Influence of Earth's Curvature and Atmospheric Refraction on Leveling
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...
Determination of Crystal Structures
Radiation: Applications
The average...
Absorption of Radiation
Raman Spectroscopy: Overview
However, a small fraction of the scattered light exhibits a frequency shift due to the exchange of energy between the incident photons and the...

