Atmospheric monitoring with an infrared radiometer

Abstract

Abstract. The molecular atmosphere has a number of windows where it is effectively transparent to electromagnetic radiation, one of these being in the infrared 8-14 micron region. The presence of clouds and aerosols, which are more effective emitters of infrared radiation, in the atmosphere show up as an increase in the effective brightness temperature compared to the clear sky. This talk will cover the results from operating a scanning radiometer at the H.E.S.S. site in Namibia in determining atmospheric conditions.