Future Long-term Measurements of Solar Spectral Irradiance Variability: Achievements and Lessons from the SORCE SIM

In order to advance understanding of how natural and anthropogenic process affect Earth’s climate system there is a strong scientific importance of maintaining accurate, long-term records of climate forcing. The continuation of solar spectral irradiance (SSI) measurements are needed to characterize poorly understood wavelength dependent climate processes. A major challenge quantifying the influence of SSI variability relates directly to the radiometric absolute accuracy and long-term precision of the measurements. The strong reliance on radiative transfer modeling for interpretation and quantification of the deposition of solar radiation in the atmosphere makes it imperative that the spectral distribution of radiant energy entering the atmosphere be known to a high degree of absolute accuracy (tied directly to international standards). The Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM) is a solar spectral radiometer that continuously monitors the SSI across the wavelength region spanning the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared (200 nm - 2400 nm, a region encompassing 96% of the total solar irradiance). A future SIM instrument is included as part of the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS) to continue the measurement of SSI, which began with the SOlar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE), launched in 2003. SORCE SIM measurements have now monitored SSI for a sufficiently long time and over a wide range in solar activity to quantify wavelength-dependent variability form the UV to the near IR. The analysis of the SORCE SIM measurements of solar spectral variability have resulted in a number of instrument design refinements central to maintaining the long-term calibration to SI irradiance standards and achieve the necessary measurement precision and long-term reproducibility (0.05-0.01% per year) to meet the needs for establishing a climate record of solar spectral irradiance into the future.