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A feasibility study of a microwave water vapor measurement from a space probe along an occultation pathStratospheric and mesospheric water vapor measurements were taken using the microwave lines at 22 GHz (22.235 GHz) and 183 GHz (183.31 GHz). The resonant cross sections for both the 22 GHz and the 183 GHz lines were used to model the optical depth of atmospheric water vapor. The range of optical depths seen by a microwave radiometer through the earth's limb was determined from radiative transfer theory. Radiometer sensitivity, derived from signal theory, was compared with calculated optical depths to determine the maximum height to which water vapor can be measured using the following methods: passive emission, passive absorption, and active absorption. It was concluded that measurements using the 22 GHz line are limited to about 50 km whereas the 183 GHz line enables measurements up to and above 100 km for water vapor mixing ratios as low as 0.1 ppm under optimum conditions.
Document ID
19750021530
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Longbothum, R. L. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
April 15, 1975
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
PSU-IRL-SCI-434
NASA-CR-143266
Accession Number
75N29603
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF GA-33446X1
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-39-009-003
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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