Solar constant

About: Solar constant is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 967 publications have been published within this topic receiving 29647 citations.

Solar spectral irradiance and atmospheric transmission at Mauna Loa Observatory.

Abstract: A radiometer was operated at the Mauna Loa Observatory during calendar year 1980 to estimate the spectral irradiance of the sun and its possible fluctuation in time near the peak of solar activity. Data were also acquired on seasonal trends of atmospheric transmissivity above the marine mixing layer in the central Pacific. Spectral irradiance remained constant to at least ½% at all wavelengths monitored. Furthermore its absolute magnitude was in agreement with the Labs and Neckel values to ±2% except at blue wavelengths where the Mauna Loa values are from 4 to 12% higher and at λ = 850 nm where the Mauna Loa value is 9% lower. The residual aerosol optical depth above Mauna Loa Observatory during 1980 averaged τ0 = 0.020. An intrusion of dust into the central Pacific from the Gobi Desert (as deduced by the composition of collected particles) invaded the Central Pacific from Mar. to May 1980 and caused a perturbation in optical depth (at λ = 500 nm) of Δτ0 ∼ 0.01–0.02. The optical depth increment caused by the Mt. St. Helens volcano was <0.005 in the 2-month period following the eruption.

Heliographic latitude dependence of the Sun's irradiance

Abstract: It has recently been reported that the total radiative emission variations from solar type stars exceeds the currently solar constant variations (from spacecraft over the last decade) by a factor near 4. Aside from other remote alternatives, this suggests three clear possibilities: (1) the Sun may undergo irradiance variations several times larger than any we have seen; (2) our Sun is highly unusual with regard to its radiative output; or (3) our terrestrial position in the heliosphere provides a special vantage point which reduces the observed solar irradiance variations. We investigate the last possibility by considering the influence of observer latitude upon calculated irradiance variations using a simple model for emission from solar contrast features. We consider modeled sunspots, faculae, and network structures. As the latitude angle of the observer rises relative to the heliographic equator, sunspot deficit contributions diminish and facular plus network contributions escalate. We find that the observing latitude can influence the irradiance variations by a factor near 6. When we integrate the irradiance variations, over the celestial sphere, they average to 3 times the terrestrial effect, suggesting that the solar cycle luminosity variations are proportionally, 3 times larger than the solar constant variations. Thus we suggest the Sun's luminosity output varies even more strongly with the solar cycle than is apparent in the solar constant variations. The influence of the observer viewing angle relative to stellar spin axis, studied here, may be possible to investigate with a thorough statistical examination of other type stars. Additionally, the rotational modulation due to active regions (as a function of observer viewing angle) may also be a valuable are for future investigation.

Differences in the Sun’s Radiative Output in Cycles 22 and 23

Abstract: Analysis of the current solar cycle 23 shows a greater increase in total solar irradiance (TSI) for the early phase of this cycle than expected from measurements of the total magnetic flux and traditional solar activity indices, which indicate that cycle 23 is weaker than cycle 22. In contrast, space observations of TSI from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/VIRGO and the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite/ACRIMII show an increase in TSI of about 0.8-1.0 W m-2 from solar minimum in 1996 to the end of 1999. This is comparable to the TSI increase measured by Nimbus 7/ERB from 1986 to 1989 during the previous cycle. Thus, solar radiative output near the maximum of the 11 yr cycle has been relatively constant despite a factor of 2 smaller amplitude increase for cycle 23 in sunspot and facular areas determined from ground-based observations. As a result, empirical models of TSI based on sunspot deficit and facular/network excess in cycle 22 underestimate the TSI measurements in 1999. This suggests either a problem in the observations or a change in the sources of radiative variability on the Sun.