The Measurement of Light Scattered by the Upper Atmosphere from a Search-Light Beam

Abstract

Rayleigh scattering from atmospheric gases in the path of an intense search-light beam has been measured up to heights of 34 km. It is found that above a limit of haze, which varies on different days from four to ten km, the scattering agrees with that calculated upon the assumption of the usual atmosphere. Clouds have been occasionally observed at heights of 12 km. It is shown that the method can be extended to allow measurements up to heights of 70 to 90 km and to determine the distribution of ozone at low altitudes, as well as the study of other atmospheric problems.