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Solar Irradiance

Entry ID: gov.noaa.ngdc.G00547

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Summary

Abstract: ABSTRACT: The "solar constant" is, in fact, not constant. Recent satellite observations have found that the Total Solar Irradiance (TSI), the amount of solar radiation received at the top of the Earth's atmosphere, does vary - see the graph for the results from six satellites(ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/STP/SOLAR_DATA/SOLAR_IRRADIANCE/IRRAD97.PDF). "The variations on solar rotational and active region ... time scales are clearly seen. The large, short-term decreases are caused by the TSI blocking effect of sunspots in magnetically active regions as they rotate through our view from Earth. The peaks of TSI preceding and following these sunpot "dips" are caused by the faculae of solar active regions whose larger areal extent causes them to be seen first as the region rotates onto our side of the sun and last as they rotate over the opposite solar limb." [Excerpted from the UARS descriptive text] The TSI provides the energy that determines the Earth's climate.Variations of the total solar irradiance (solar constant) have become an important new tool for studying the sun since the deployment of a new generation of precise solar flight instrumentation, such as the ACRIM I satellite experiment on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) in 1980. The study of variations of the spectral irradiance observed in the EUV also has developed rapidly. The largest variations of the total irradiance occur on time scales of a day to several weeks and are caused by solar active regions. Efforts to model the radiative effects of active regions are proceeding and the first round of results from these have appeared in literature. Disagreements have quickly surfaced in this new field and a topical workshop was convened at the California Institute of Technology in June 1983, to provide both formal and informal opportunities for dialog between those actively working in this area. The papers resulting from this workshop are collected in the report by LaBonte et al. (1984). NGDC Boulder holds the SMM satellite irradiance data for February 1980 to May 1989 and the Nimbus data for November 1978 to the present. Also available are the Hoyt and Eddy model data for the period 1974 to 1981. Early data by Abbott, Smithsonian Institution, from many locations worldwide covering the period 1902 to 1962 are available also.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: This archive contains data from:Composite Total Solar Irradiance database 1978-present, compiled by C. Frohlich and J. LeanACRIM Composite TSI Time Series 1978-present, compiled by R. WillsonSORCE (Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment) 2003 - present, compiled by G. RottmanTotal Solar Irradiance (TSI) data from individual satellites: ERBS (Oct 1984-Aug 2003), NIMBUS (Nov 16, 1978-Dec 13, 1993), NOAA9 (Jan 23, 1985-Dec 20, 1989), NOAA10 (Oct 22, 1986-Apr 1, 1987), SMM Feb 16, 1980-June 1, 1989), SOHO VIRGO (Jan 18, 1996-Nov 13, 1999) and UARS (Oct 4, 1991-Dec 31, 1997)Older, archival databases contain data from:Dr. John Arvesen's Solar Spectral Irradiance data at the top of the atmosphere in the 300-2500 nm wavelength range (UV to visible), from NASA research aircraft -- 11 flightsCharles Greeley Abbot solar constant database -- Note: 2 years of scientific investigation are needed to bring this database into a scientifically useable research database

CURRENTNESS REFERENCE: Ground Condition

Purpose: PURPOSE: To provide long-term scientific data stewardship for the Nation's geophysical data, ensuring quality, integrity, and accessibility.

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: ftp index of data

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 90.0

S: -90.0

E: 180.0

W: -180.0

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: Please See Summary

Dataset Title: Solar Irradiance

Dataset Series Name: Solar Geophysical Data (SGD) International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN)

Dataset Release Date: 1984

Dataset Release Place: Boulder, CO

Dataset Publisher: National Geophysical Data Center

Version: First

Issue Identification: 'ISSN 0038-0911 Solar Geophysical Data (SGD)'

Other Citation Details: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/SOLAR/ftpsolarirradiance.html

Online Resource: ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/STP/SOLAR_DATA/SOLAR_IRRADIANCE

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1978-08-01

Location Keywords

SPACE > SOLAR REGION > CORONA

Science Keywords

ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION > SOLAR IRRADIANCE

ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION > SOLAR RADIATION

SUN-EARTH INTERACTIONS > SOLAR ACTIVITY > SOLAR ACTIVE REGIONS

SUN-EARTH INTERACTIONS > SOLAR ACTIVITY > SOLAR IRRADIANCE

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Project

ESIP > Earth Science Information Partners Program

Access Constraints ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: No Constraints

DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY: While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Use Constraints None

Ancillary Keywords

WDC/STP, BOULDER > World Data Center for Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Boulder

DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Solar Physics

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Data Center

National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Data Center URL: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/
Dataset ID: ______Downloadable_Data ____

Data Center Personnel
Name: EDWARD H. ERWIN Phone: (303) 497-6133 Fax: (303) 497-6513 Email: Edward.H.Erwin at noaa.gov Contact Address: NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC E/GC2 325 Broadway City: Boulder Province or State: CO Postal Code: 80303 Country: USA

Distribution

Distribution Size: 55.0

Distribution Format: ASCII

Fees: Free downloadable data Depends on amount of data requested.

Personnel

EDWARD H. ERWIN

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: (303) 497-6133

Fax: (303) 497-6513

Email: Edward.H.Erwin at noaa.gov

Contact Address:

NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC

E/GC2

325 Broadway

City: Boulder

Province or State: CO

Postal Code: 80303

Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-06-15

Last DIF Revision Date: 2011-03-02

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