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The transmission of the atmosphere in the spectral range from 0.5 to 15 p has been studied over three sea-level paths 0.3, 5.5, and 16.25 km in length, with an average spectral resolution, A/AX, of 300. The conditions encountered covered a wide range, from 0.11 cm precipitable water in the 0.3-km path to a maxt-and values of the visual scattering coefficient were measured from 0.048 km-1 to 9.24 km-1 . Data have beet, evaluated on selective transmission vs watervapor concentration for the infrared "window" regions, and the behavior of the scattering coefficient with wavelength has been plotted for representative atmospheres. Similar data were plotted for several measuremeni ,-., -over a range of 27.7 km at an altitude of 10,000 F. PROBLEM STATUSThis is a final report on Problem N03-05, which was terminated Sept. 30, 1959. AUTHORIZATION

Important applications to oceanography, hydrology, and agriculture have been developed from operational satellites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and are currently expanding rapidly. Areas of interest involving the oceans include sea surface temperature, ocean currents, and ocean color. Satellites can monitor various hydrological phenomena, including regional and global snow cover, river and sea ice extent, and areas of global inundation. Agriculturally important quantities derived from operational satellite observations include precipitation, daily temperature extremes, canopy temperatures, insolation, and snow cover. This overview describes the current status of each area.

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The earth-orbiting satellites and the deep-space probes have provided for the optical sciences platforms from which to study the earth, the solar system, and the universe with truly revolutionary capability. For the terrestrial sciences the orbiting platforms for optical measurements in both low and geostationary orbits have given us a view of our planet and a global coverage never before possible. For the astronomical applications of optical instruments that "cataract of the telescopic eye," the atmosphere of the earth has been left behind and through proximity, including actual contact, we now have resolution and spectral coverage limited only by money and motive.