Observations of the colour and polarization of noctilucent clouds
Abstract
Recent observations from Aberdeen of the spectral distribution of the sunlight scattered from noctilucent clouds (NLC) show that the characteristic blue color comes from Chappuis absorption by ozone in the path of the sunlight illuminating the clouds. As in the case of the twilight sky, the magnitude of the effect of this absorption has not always been appreciated. The first results of a series of small-field spectral polarization measurements are described and they, together with the spectral radiance measurements, suggest that simple NLC models involving small (submicron) spherical particles need development to explain the observed character of the scattered light.
- Publication:
-
Annales de Geophysique
- Pub Date:
- December 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975AnG....31..507G
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Scattering;
- Light Scattering;
- Noctilucent Clouds;
- Optical Polarization;
- Spectral Energy Distribution;
- Aerosols;
- Extinction;
- Ozone;
- Polarimetry;
- Spectral Reflectance;
- Sunlight;
- Twilight Glow