The absorption and dissociative or ionizing effect of monochromatic radiation in an atmosphere on a rotating earth part II. Grazing incidence

Abstract

The absorption of radiation from the sun in an atmosphere varying exponentially with the height is considered, as in a former paper; but here the earth's curvature, and that of the level layers in the atmosphere, is taken into account. The values of this absorption as previously calculated are valid so long as the sun's zenith distance does not exceed 75°, but for greater zenith distances the necessary corrections are of importance. It is shown that the absorption, and resulting ionization or dissociation of the air, should begin to increase before ground sunrise, the interval varying from about 10 minutes at the equator to about an hour at 60° latitude.