Radiative transfer in a diurnally insolated mechanically static grey atmosphere.

A numerical analysis scheme is presented for a previously proposed theory of the temperature structure versus time of a diurnally insolated atmosphere of constant density wherein heat transfer occurs by both radiation and conduction. The approach is one of linearizing the difference equations corresponding to the analytical forms (rather than vice versa). Limitations of available computers and time, coupled with an ill-conditioning characteristic of the one physical (lunar) situation attacked, limit the conclusions of the present paper to an affirmation of the method and an indication that a more approximate approach to the insolation of the lunar soil would be adequate. Explicit inclusion of the transfer equation, as done here, would be desirable for more rapidly rotating bodies such as asteroids, Galilean satellites, and Saturn's rings.