The solar absolute spectral irradiance 1150–3173 Å: May 17, 1982

Abstract

The full‐disk solar spectral irradiance in the spectral range 1150–3173 Å was obtained from a rocket observation above White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on May 17, 1982, halfway in time between solar maximum and solar minimum. Comparison with measurements made during solar maximum in 1980 indicate a large decrease in the absolute solar irradiance at wavelengths below 1900 Å to approximately solar minimum values. No change above 1900 Å from solar maximum to this flight was observed to within the errors of the measurements. We find irradiance values lower than the Broadfoot results in the 2100–2500 Å spectral range, but we find excellent agreement with Broadfoot between 2500 and 3173 Å. The absolute calibration of the instruments for this flight was accomplished at the National Bureau of Standards Synchrotron Radiation Facility which significantly improves calibration of solar measurements made in this spectral region.