SAFARI 2000 Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer Airborne Measurements

August 17 to September 16, 2000, this dataset contains solar spectral flux radiometer measurements from twenty research flights over Southern Africa. The Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer (SSFR) on the University of Washington CV-580 aircraft recorded simultaneous downwelling and upwelling net solar spectral irradiance at varying flight levels. Data were collected during the dry season component of the Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000).

Use Cases

• Analyzing the spectral distribution of downwelling and upwelling solar irradiance for atmospheric energy balance studies.
• Investigating aerosol radiative forcing and its impact on regional climate using airborne spectral measurements.
• Validating and improving satellite-derived solar radiation products over the Southern African landmass.
• Studying the vertical profile of solar spectral irradiance as measured at varying aircraft flight levels.

Strengths

• Contains data from twenty distinct research flights, providing multiple observational samples.
• Covers a focused, month-long dry season campaign (August 17 - September 16, 2000) in Southern Africa.
• Provides simultaneous measurements of both downwelling and upwelling solar spectral irradiance.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: one lists a future date (2026-03-12), while another lists the collection end date (2000-09 16).

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Airborne measurements from the Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer (SSFR) aboard the University of Washington CV-580 aircraft.

Time Range

August 17, 2000 - September 16, 2000

Freshness

2000-09-16 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Southern Africa