Sky Radiometers
POM Sky Radiometers for the measurement of direct and scattered solar radiation at multiple wavelengths for the calculation of aerosol properties and distributions.
With the increasing interest in climate change and global warming research, the effects of stratospheric aerosols are being studied in greater detail. Primarily, this refers to water vapour and suspended particles such as smoke, dust, sand and ash. These absorb and scatter solar radiation, act as nuclei for the formation of clouds and promote atmospheric chemical reactions.
Sky radiometers make measurements in several narrow wavebands in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared parts of the solar spectrum. The radiometer has a narrow field of view and is mounted on a sun tracker to make measurements of the direct solar radiation. It can also make scans across the sky at user-defined angles away from the sun.
When the data is processed it provides insights into the size, shape and distribution of atmospheric aerosols. Understanding these is one of the most important ways that scientists can improve models for weather and air quality forecasting and for climate change prediction.
One of the most widely used instruments for this purpose is the POM Sky Radiometer, manufactured by Prede Co. Ltd. in Tokyo and distributed by Kipp & Zonen.
POM comes with Windows™ control and data logging software supplied. The instrument must be connected via the RS 232 port to a computer running the supplied software in order to operate.
POM-01
A sensitive solar radiometer for the routine automated measurement of direct and scattered solar radiation at seven wavelengths from 315 nm to 1020 nm.
POM-02
A sensitive solar radiometer for the routine automated measurement of direct and scattered solar radiation at eleven wavelengths from 315 nm to 2200 nm.