Historical Total Solar Irradiance Reconstruction for Climate Models

A 294-year reconstruction (1713-2007) of total solar irradiance (TSI) used for solar forcings in the 2007 IPCC estimates. The dataset is based on the Wang, Lean, and Sheeley model and has been updated and calibrated to SORCE/TIM satellite instrument absolute values. It was developed by Judith Lean (NRL) and modified by the SCIOPS organization.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term TSI trends from 1713 to 2007 for solar cycle research.
• Calibrate climate model solar forcing inputs using the SORCE/TIM-adjusted annual TSI values.
• Validate other solar irradiance reconstructions against this IPCC-referenced time series.

Strengths

• 294 years of continuous historical coverage from 1713 to 2007.
• Calibrated to the SORCE/TIM satellite instrument's absolute TSI values for accuracy.

Limitations

• Data ends in 2007, lacking recent solar cycles.
• No column-level metadata or sample data is provided for detailed inspection.
• The underlying model reconstruction has inherent uncertainties not quantified here.

Provenance

Source

Model from Wang, Lean, and Sheeley (2005), updated by Judith Lean (NRL) and SCIOPS.

Collection Method

Model-based historical reconstruction, later offset and extended using annual averages from the SORCE/TIM satellite instrument.

Time Range

1713 to 2007

Freshness

Last updated in 2010; data current through 2007.

Geography

Global (total solar irradiance)