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Published on: August 20, 2019
Coordinated weather balloon solar radiation measurements during a solar eclipse
R G Harrison1, G J Marlton2, P D Williams2
1Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, PO Box 243, Reading RG6 6BB, UK r.g.harrison@reading.ac.uk.
Balloon-borne photodiode sensors successfully measured solar radiation changes during the 2015 solar eclipse above cloud cover. This innovative method accurately captured eclipse-induced variations and solar limb darkening effects.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Solar Physics
- Radiometry
Background:
- Solar eclipses create dynamic solar radiation environments.
- Cloud cover can impede ground-based solar radiation measurements.
- Balloon-borne sensors offer a novel approach to overcome atmospheric interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure solar radiation variations during the 20 March 2015 solar eclipse above cloud.
- To investigate solar limb darkening effects using balloon-borne sensors.
- To evaluate methods for correcting sensor orientation during balloon flights.
Main Methods:
- A coordinated campaign using balloon-borne photodiode sensors deployed from Reading, Lerwick, and Reykjavik.
- Sensors were integrated into meteorological instrument packages.
- Two orientation correction techniques (swing-averaged and swing-maximum) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Eclipse-induced variations in solar radiation were successfully measured above cloud.
- Measurements of solar limb darkening were obtained.
- Both orientation correction techniques yielded results consistent with theoretical predictions.
Conclusions:
- Balloon-borne solar radiation measurements are a viable method for studying eclipses above cloud.
- The evaluated techniques provide reliable data despite sensor platform instability.
- This approach advances the study of atmospheric effects during solar eclipses.
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