Comparison of the LOWTRAN 7 code and S3-4 satellite measurements of UV radiance

Atmospheric radiance measurements and model calculations in the 200 to 290 nm wavelength region are found to be in good agreement. The calculations are made using the recently released LOWTRAN 7 transmission and radiance code. The measurements were made in 1978 from the S3-4 satellite. The model is in excellent agreement in regard to radiance level and to spectral variability in this region for the daytime, mid-latitude measurements. Under twilight conditions, the lack of airglow and fluorescence emission sources in the code lead to differences. Additions to the model to provide better agreement are under consideration, but as the present time, the code can be used for a wide range of atmospheric problems.