Solar Total Irradiance: A Reference Value for Solar Minimum

Mecherikunnel, Ann T.

doi:10.1007/978-94-011-5000-2_2

Solar Total Irradiance: A Reference Value for Solar Minimum

Ann T. Mecherikunnel³

Conference paper

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Abstract

Simultaneous solar total irradiance observations performed by absolute radiometers on board satellites during the quiet-Sun period between solar cycles 21 and 22 (1985–1987), are analyzed to determine the solar total irradiance at 1 AU for the solar minimum. During the quiet-Sun period the total solar irradiance, UV irradiance, and the various solar activity indices show very little fluctuation. However, the absolute value of the solar total irradiance derived from the observations differ within the accuracy of the radiometers used in the measurements. Therefore, the question often arises about a reference value of the solar total irradiance for use in climate models and for computation of geophysical, and atmospheric parameters. This research is conducted as a part of the Solar Electromagnetic Radiation Study for Solar Cycle 22 (SOLERS22). On the basis of the study we recommended a reference value of 1367.0 ± 0.04 W m^-2 for the solar total irradiance at 1 AU for a truly quiet Sun. We also find that the total solar irradiance data for the quiet-Sun period reveals strong short-term irradiance variations.

Paper presented at the SOLERS22 International Workshop, held at the National Solar Observatory, Sacramento Peak, Sunspot, New Mexico, USA, June 17–21, 1996.

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Authors and Affiliations

Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, 20771, USA
Ann T. Mecherikunnel

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Ann T. Mecherikunnel
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Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
J. M. Pap & R. K. Ulrich &
World Radiation Center — PMOD, Davos-Dorf, Switzerland
C. Fröhlich

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Mecherikunnel, A.T. (1998). Solar Total Irradiance: A Reference Value for Solar Minimum. In: Pap, J.M., Fröhlich, C., Ulrich, R.K. (eds) Solar Electromagnetic Radiation Study for Solar Cycle 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5000-2_2

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5000-2_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6099-8
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5000-2
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