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Measurements of thermal infrared spectral reflectance of frost, snow, and iceBecause much of Earth's surface is covered by frost, snow, and ice, the spectral emissivities of these materials are a significant input to radiation balance calculations in global atmospheric circulation and climate change models. Until now, however, spectral emissivities of frost and snow have been calculated from the optical constants of ice. We have measured directional hemispherical reflectance spectra of frost, snow, and ice from which emissivities can be predicted using Kirchhoff's law (e = 1-R). These measured spectra show that contrary to conclusions about the emissivity of snow drawn from previously calculated spectra, snow emissivity departs significantly from blackbody behavior in the 8-14 micrometer region of the spectrum; snow emissivity decreases with both increasing particle size and increasing density due to packing or grain welding; while snow emissivity increases due to the presence of meltwater.
Document ID
19950048358
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Salisbury, John W.
(Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, United States)
D'Aria, Dana M.
(Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, United States)
Wald, Andrew
(Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 10, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 99
Issue: B12
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Accession Number
95A79957
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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