Solar and Infrared Radiation Measurements

3 Historic Milestones in Solar and Infrared Radiation Measurement

To measure is to know.

Lord Kelvin

(1824–1907)

3.1 Introduction

Abilities to measure solar and infrared radiation have developed through centuries of scientific discovery and engineering applications. Historically, measurements have played a critical role in the development of accepted physical laws. Today, solar and infrared radiation measurements are particularly important for advancing atmospheric physics, developing renewable energy technologies, and understanding climate change. The goal of improving data accuracy is common to the development of instrumentation for measuring solar and infrared radiation. This chapter provides a selective account of important solar and infrared ...