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Crommelynck, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Crommelynck, D..

The Contribution of the Solcon Instrument to the Long Term Total Solar Irradiance Observation

On century time scales, the variation in the total solar irradiance received by the earth is believed to be a major climate change driver. Therefore accurate and time stable measurements of the total solar irradiance are necessary. We present the latest contribution of the SOLar CONstant (SOLCON) instrument to these measurements, namely its measurements during the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) 3 space shuttle flight, and its results: the verification of the ageing of the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), and the measurement of the Space Absolute Radiometric Reference (SARR) adjustment coefficients for the Variability of solar IRradiance and Gravity Oscillations (VIRGO) radiometers.

Dewitte, S.↗

Maintenance of a long term total solar irradiance data series

The dispersion of the measurements that contributed to the previously defined space absolute radiometric reference (SARR) is investigated by objective statistical analysis. The estimated standard deviation with which the reference is known is 0.22 W/sq m, corresponding to 0.016 percent of its mean value. Several updates are made in the SARR referenced total solar irradiance data series, which was previously obtained from November 1978 until December 1993. The shift in 1898-1990 of the NIMBUS 7 instrument identified by Lee in 1995 is investigated and taken into account, resulting in new values for the NIMBUS 7 measurements before 1990 and in a new SARR adjustment coefficient for the active cavity radiometer irradiance monitoring (ACRIM) 1 instrument. The data series is extended to the present by adding level 1 data of DIARAD/VIRGO on board SOHO. A preliminary SARR coefficient for level 1 DIARAD/VIRGO was obtained by comparison with SARR referenced ACRIM 2 data.

Dewitte, S.↗

First realisation of the Space Absolute Radiometric Reference (SARR) during the ATLAS 2 flight period

A number of different solar constant observations all made from space during the ATLAS 2 mission have been gathered and compared to each other. The Sun did not have a single sunspot during several days. As eight of the radiometric channels were all within 0.1%, the mean of the observations has been used to determine a set of adjustment factors providing de facto the definition of the Space Absolute Radiometric Reference (SARR). The differential absolute radiometers of Solar Constant (SOLCON) experiment and the Solar Variability-1 (SOVA 1) experiment, as well as the SOVA 2 and Active Cavity Radiometer (ACR) radiometers that have been brought back to the Earth may, if used in the same conditions, reproduce and maintain the SARR for the future.

Crommelynck, D.↗

Preliminary results of solar constant observations with the SOLCON experiment on ATLAS-1

A brief description is given of the Solar Constant (SOLCAN) experiment on Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) 1, its scientific and technical objectives, as well as its measurement principle and its on board chronology of operations. A preliminary value of the solar constant during the third solar operation of the mission is also provided.

Crommelynck, D.↗

Measurement of the Solar Constant (SOLCON)

Measurement of the Solar Constant (SOLCON) is a solar physics experiment of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS 1) NASA mission scheduled for late 1990. The objectives of this investigation are: (1) to measure the absolute value of the solar constant with improved accuracy, and (2) to detect and measure long-term variations that may exist in the absolute value of the solar constant. The solar constant is the total irradiance of the sun at a distance of one astronomical unit. This will be measured directly in space by an absolute self-calibrating radiometer with an absolute accuracy estimated to be of the order of + or - 0.1 percent and a sensitivity better than 0.05 percent. Features of this radiometer are given.

Crommelynck, D.↗

Measurement of the solar constant

The absolute value of the solar constant and the long term variations that exist in the absolute value of the solar constant were measured. The solar constant is the total irradiance of the Sun at a distance of one astronomical unit. An absolute radiometer removed from the effects of the atmosphere with its calibration tested in situ was used to measure the solar constant. The importance of an accurate knowledge of the solar constant is emphasized.

Crommelynck, D.↗

Radiation balances and the solar constant

The radiometric concepts are defined in order to consider various types of radiation balances and relate them to the diabetic form of the energy balance. Variability in space and time of the components of the radiation field are presented. A specific concept for sweeping which is tailored to the requirements is proposed. Finally, after establishing the truncated character of the present knowledge of the radiation balance. The results of the last observations of the solar constant are given. Ground and satellite measurement techniques are discussed.

Crommelynck, D.↗

Problems of sampling and radiation balances: Their problematics

Problems associated with the measurement of the Earth radiation balances are addressed. It is demonstrated that the knowledge of the different radiation budgets with their components is largely dependent on the space time sampling of the radiation field of the Earth atmosphere system. Whichever instrumental approach is adopted (wide angle view of high resolution) it affects the space time integration of the fluxes measured directly or calculated. In this case the necessary knowledge of the reflection pattern depends in addition on the angular sampling of the radiances. A series of questions is considered, the answers of which are a prerequisite to the the organization of a global observation system.

Crommelynck, D.↗