The far-infrared earth

Year: 2008

Authors: Harries J., Carli B., Rizzi R., Serio C., Mlynczak M., Palchetti L., Maestri T., Brindley H., Masiello G.

Autors Affiliation: Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; Istituto di Fisica Applicata Nello Carrata, CNR, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Atmospheric Dynamics Group, Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitą di Bologna, I-40127 Bologna, Italy; Dipartamento di Ingegneria e Fisica dell\’Ambiente, Universitą di Basilicata, I-85100 Potenza, Italy; NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23687, United States

Abstract: The paper presents a review of the far-infrared (FIR) properties of the Earth\’s atmosphere and their role in climate. These properties have been relatively poorly understood, and it is one of the purposes of this review to demonstrate that in recent years we have made great strides in improving this understanding. Seen from space, the Earth is a cool object, with an effective emitting temperature of about 255 K. This contrasts with a global mean surface temperature of ~288 K and is due primarily to strong absorption of outgoing longwave energy by water vapor, carbon dioxide, and clouds (especially ice). A large fraction of this absorption occurs in the FIR, and so the Earth is effectively a FIR planet. The FIR is important in a number of key climate processes, for example, the water vapor and cloud feedbacks (especially ice clouds). The FIR is also a spectral region which can be used to remotely sense and retrieve atmospheric composition in the presence of ice clouds. Recent developments in instrumentation have allowed progress in each of these areas, which are described, and proposals for a spaceborne FIR instrument are being formulated. It is timely to review the FIR properties of the clear and cloudy atmosphere, the role of FIR processes in climate, and its use in observing our planet from space. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Journal/Review: REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS (1985)

Volume: 46 (4)      Pages from: RG4004-1  to: RG4004-34

KeyWords: Absorption; carbon dioxide; climate modeling; cloud; infrared radiation; instrumentation; observational method; satellite data; surface temperature; water vapor
DOI: 10.1029/2007RG000233

Citations: 87
data from “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) are update at: 2024-11-17
References taken from IsiWeb of Knowledge: (subscribers only)
Connecting to view paper tab on IsiWeb: Click here
Connecting to view citations from IsiWeb: Click here