Errors in the Determination of the Solar Constant by the Langley Method Due to the Presence of Volcanic Aerosol

Abstract

The accuracy in the determination or the solar constant by means of the Langley method is strongly influenced by the spatial inhomogeneities of the atmospheric aerosol. Volcanos frequently inject aerosol into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. This paper evaluates the solar constant error that would occur if observations were taken throughout the plume of El Chichón observed by NASA aircraft in the fall of 1982 and the spring of 1983. A lidar method is suggested to minimize this error.