
71-1
71.1 Introduction
71.1.1 Importance of Airborne MeasurementsofElectromagnetic
Radiation in the Atmosphere
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is important for many atmospheric and oceanic processes. e solar
ra
diative
en
ergy
re
aching
th
e
to
p
of at
mosphere
(T
OA)
is th
e
ma
jor
sou
rce
of en
ergy
fe
eding
we
ather
an
d
climate phenomena on Earth (Sellers, 1965). All biological life depends on the energy provided by solar
radiation. Almost every motion of air in the atmosphere or of water in the oceans and numerous chemical
processes within the atmosphere are powered by solar radiative energy. If the Sun would hypothetically
be switched o, then p