scholarly journals Nocturnal Aerosol Optical Depth Measurements with a Small-Aperture Automated Photometer Using the Moon as a Light Source

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1297-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Berkoff ◽  
Mikail Sorokin ◽  
Tom Stone ◽  
Thomas F. Eck ◽  
Raymond Hoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Optical Transmittance ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Calibration System ◽  
Small Aperture ◽  
Ground Measurement

Abstract A method is described that enables the use of lunar irradiance to obtain nighttime aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements using a small-aperture photometer. In this approach, the U.S. Geological Survey lunar calibration system was utilized to provide high-precision lunar exoatmospheric spectral irradiance predictions for a ground-based sensor location, and when combined with ground measurement viewing geometry, provided the column optical transmittance for retrievals of AOD. Automated multiwavelength lunar measurements were obtained using an unmodified Cimel-318 sunphotometer sensor to assess existing capabilities and enhancements needed for day/night operation in NASA’s Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). Results show that even existing photometers can provide the ability for retrievals of aerosol optical depths at night near full moon. With an additional photodetector signal-to-noise improvement of 10–100, routine use over the bright half of the lunar phase and a much wider range of wavelengths and conditions can be achieved. Although the lunar cycle is expected to limit the frequency of observations to 30%–40% compared to solar measurements, nevertheless this is an attractive extension of AERONET capabilities.

scholarly journals Lunar periodicity in catch rate and reproductive condition of adult eastern king prawns, Penaeus plebejus, in coastal waters of south-eastern Queensland, Australia

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Courtney ◽  
DJ Die ◽  
JG McGilvray
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Catch Rate ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Ovary Weight ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
New Moon ◽  
Catch Rates

This study examined the lunar and die1 variation in catch rates and reproductive condition of adult eastern king prawns, Penaeus plebejus, in relatively deep (160 m) coastal waters off south- eastern Queensland. Females numerically dominated catches over most of the lunar cycle and constituted 76% of the weight of the catch. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed an interaction between lunar phase and sex; catches peaked during Lunar Phase 3 (full moon � 3 days) and were particularly marked for males. This was the only period during the lunar cycle when the sex ratio approached 1 : 1. There was also an interaction between trawl-time and sex; male catch rates were at a minimum early in the evening, whereas female catch rates were at a maximum then and declined throughout the night. Trawler logbook catch rate data from the same area over a similar period indicated an interaction between lunar cycle and lunar phase. ANOVA revealed an effect of the interaction between phase and sex on the incidence of soft prawns; the incidence of soft males increased during Phase 4 (half moon waning to new moon � 3 days). Ovary weight also varied between phases and was higher during Phases 2 (half moon waxing to full moon � 3 days) and 4 (half moon waning to new moon � 3 days). Trends in the ovary weight and the incidence of histologically mature and ripe females suggested there are two periods of increased spawning activity during each lunar cycle. A cyclic regression fitted to the data explained 93% of the variation in the incidence of ripe females between samples. The influence of these cyclic trends in catch rate and reproductive condition should be considered when monitoring the spawning stock in the fishery and when planning sampling strategies in any future reproductive studies.

scholarly journals Evidence of a possible turning point in solar UV-B over Canada, Europe and Japan

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2469-2477 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Zerefos ◽  
K. Tourpali ◽  
K. Eleftheratos ◽  
S. Kazadzis ◽  
C. Meleti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Amplification Factor ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Cloud Fraction ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Solar Uv

Abstract. This study examines the long-term variability of UV solar irradiances at 305 nm and 325 nm over selected sites in Canada, Europe and Japan. Site selection was restricted to the availability of the most complete UV spectroradiometric datasets during the period 1990–2011. The analysis includes the long-term variability of total ozone, aerosol optical depth and cloud fraction at the sites studied. The results, based on observations and modeling, suggest that over Canada, Europe and Japan the period under study can be divided into three sub-periods of scientific merit: the first period (1991–1994) is the period perturbed by the Pinatubo volcanic eruption, during which excess volcanic aerosol has enhanced the "conventional" amplification factor of UV-B at ground level by an additional factor that depends on solar elevation. The increase of the UV-B amplification factor is the result of enhanced scattering processes caused by the injection of huge amounts of volcanic aerosols during the perturbed period. The second period (1995–2006) is characterized by a 0.14% yr−1 increase in total ozone and an increasing trend in spectral irradiance by 0.94% yr−1 at 305 nm and 0.88% yr−1 at 325 nm. That paradox was caused by the significant decline of the aerosol optical depth by more than 1% yr−1 (the "brightening" effect) and the absence of any statistically significant trend in the cloud fraction. The third period (2007–2011) shows statistically significant evidence of a slowdown or even a turning point in the previously reported upward UV-B trends over Canada, Europe and Japan.

Crisis Calls and Lunar Cycles: A Twenty-Year Review

1992 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Byrnes ◽  
I. W. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Intervention ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Lunar Cycles ◽  
Poison Centers

12 studies are reviewed that have examined the relationships among crisis calls to police stations, poison centers, and crisis intervention centers and the synodic lunar cycle. On the basis of the studies considered it is concluded that no good foundation exists for the belief that lunar phase is related to the frequency of crisis calls. In addition, there is no evidence whatsoever for the contention that calls of a more emotional or “out-of-control” nature occur more often at the full moon.

scholarly journals On certain variations of the mean height of the barometer, mean temperature and depth of rain, connected with the lunar phases, in the cycle of years from 1815 to 1823

1843 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 211-211
Keyword(s):  
Full Moon ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Phases ◽  
Mean Temperature ◽  
The Mean ◽  
New Moon ◽  
Made In

The table given in this paper contains the results of calculations relating to the objects specified in the title; cast into periods of six, seven, or eight days, so as to bring the day of the lunar phase belonging to it in the middle of the time. The observations were all made in the neighbourhood of London. It appears from them that in the period of the last quarter of the moon the barometer is highest, the temperature a little above the mean, and the depth of rain the smallest. In the period of the new moon, both the barometer and temperature are considerably depressed, and the rain increased in quantity. The influence of the first quarter shows itself by the further depression of the barometer; but the temperature rises almost to the point from which it had fallen, and the rain still increases, but not in an equal ratio. Lastly, the full moon again reduces the temperature; while the barometer attains its maximum mean height, and the quantity of rain is the greatest. Thus it appears, that during this lunar cycle, the approach of the last quarter is the signal for the clearing up of the air, and the return of sunshine.

scholarly journals Aerosol Single Scattering Albedo retrieval in the UV range: an application to OMI satellite validation

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ialongo ◽  
V. Buchard ◽  
C. Brogniez ◽  
G. R. Casale ◽  
A. M. Siani
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Absorbing Aerosols

Abstract. The aerosol Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) and Absorbing Aerosol Optical Depth (AAOD) at 320.1 nm are derived at Rome site by the comparison between Brewer and modelled spectra. The UVSPEC radiative transfer model is used to calculate the UV irradiances for different SSA values, taking into account as input data total ozone and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) obtained from Brewer spectral measurements. The accuracy in determining SSA depends on the aerosol amount and on Solar Zenith Angle (SZA) value: SSA uncertainty increases when AOD and SZA decrease. The monthly mean values of SSA and AAOD during the period January 2005–June 2008 are analysed, showing a monthly and seasonal variability. It is found that the SSA and AAOD averages are 0.80±0.08 and 0.056±0.028, respectively. AAOD retrievals are also used to quantify the error in the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) surface UV products due to absorbing aerosols, not included in the current OMI UV algorithm. OMI and Brewer UV irradiances at 324.1 nm and Erythemal Dose Rates (EDRs) under clear sky conditions, are compared as a function of AAOD. Three methods are considered to investigate on the applicability of an absorbing aerosol correction on OMI UV data at Rome site. Depending on the correction methodology, the bias value decreases from 18% to 2% for spectral irradiance at 324.1 nm and from 25% to 8% for EDR.

scholarly journals Ship borne rotating shadow band radiometer observations for the determination of multi spectral irradiance components and direct sun products for aerosol

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Witthuhn ◽  
Hartwig Deneke ◽  
Andreas Macke ◽  
Germar Bernhard
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Gas Absorption ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Total Uncertainty ◽  
Direct Beam ◽  
Sun Photometer ◽  
Beam Transmittance ◽  
Band Radiometer

Abstract. The 19 channel rotating shadow band radiometer GUVis-3511 built by Biospherical Instruments is introduced as an instrument which is able to provide automated ship borne measurements of the direct, diffuse and global spectral irradiance components without a requirement for stabilization. Several direct sun products, including spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth, Angström exponent, and precipitable water can be derived from these observations. The individual steps of the data analysis are described, and the different sources of uncertainty are discussed. The total uncertainty of the observed direct beam transmittances is estimated to be 4.24 % at 95 % CI for ship borne operation. The calibration is identified as the dominating contribution to the total uncertainty. A comparison of direct beam transmittance with those obtained from a Cimel sun photometer at a land site and a manually operated Microtops II sun photometer on a ship is presented, yielding relative deviations of less than 3 % and 4 % on land and on ship, respectively, for most channels and in agreement with our previous uncertainty estimate. These numbers demonstrate that the instrument is well suited for ship borne operation, and the applied methods for motion correction work accurately. Based on spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth at 510 nm can be retrieved with an uncertainty of 0.0032 for a 95 % CI. Only minor deviations occur due to the different methods used for estimating Rayleigh scattering and gas absorption optical depths, as implemented by AERONET and in our processing. Relying on the cross-calibration of the 940 nm water vapor channel with the Cimel sun photometer, the column amount of precipitable water has been estimated with an uncertainty of +−0.034 cm. More research is needed to estimate the accuracy of the instrument for low sun (solar zenith angles larger than 70°) and during periods with strong swell.

Lunar Cycles and Violent Behaviour

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Owen ◽  
Concetta Tarantello ◽  
Michael Jones ◽  
Christopher Tennant
Keyword(s):  
Full Moon ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Violent Behaviour ◽  
Prospective Data ◽  
The Face ◽  
Area Health ◽  
Rate Behaviour

Objective: It is commonly believed that the full moon exerts an influence on violence and aggression in psychiatric settings. The literature to date is contentious. This study used a robust methodology to examine the hypothesis that there was an increased frequency of violent and aggressive behaviour among hospitalised psychiatric clients at the time of the full moon. Method: Prospective data were collected in five inpatient psychiatric settings across the Northern Sydney Area Health Service. Morrison's hierarchy of violence and aggression was used to rate behaviour. Lunar phases were clearly defined and Poisson regression used to examine relationships between lunar phase and violence. Extraneous temporal variation was considered. Results: No significant relationship was found between total violence and aggression or level of violence and aggression and any phase of the moon. Conclusion: Future research could profitably examine the implications of a belief in the lunar effect among health workers in the face of evidence that no relationship exists between violence, aggression and the lunar cycle.

Effect of season of the year and phase of the moon on puberty and on the occurrence of oestrus and conception in dairy heifers reared on high planes of nutrition

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. B. Roy ◽  
Catherine M. Gillies ◽  
M. W. Perfitt ◽  
I. J. F. Stobo
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Marked Influence ◽  
Dairy Heifers

ABSTRACTA study of the factors that influence the age at first oestrus has been made with 57 Friesian heifers reared on high planes of nutrition in a partially-controlled environment. Although animals born during the period of increasing daylength reached puberty approximately 2 months earlier than those born during decreasing daylength, there was also a marked influence of live weight at 182 days of age and of the phase of the moon at the time of oestrus.Frequency of occurrence of first oestrus and of conception showed four distinct peaks at approximately 7-day intervals within the lunar cycle; this association between conception and lunar phase appeared to decline with increasing parity. Frequency of occurrence of artificial insemination, which reflected all suspected instances of oestrus, was also related to lunar phase. This effect of the lunar phase appears to be associated in the young heifer with 7-day cycles of oestrous activity positioned in time by the occurrence of the full moon.

scholarly journals Algorithms and uncertainties for the determination of multispectral irradiance components and aerosol optical depth from a shipborne rotating shadowband radiometer

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 709-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Witthuhn ◽  
Hartwig Deneke ◽  
Andreas Macke ◽  
Germar Bernhard
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Rayleigh Scattering ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Gas Absorption ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Total Uncertainty ◽  
Direct Beam ◽  
Beam Transmittance

Abstract. The 19-channel rotating shadowband radiometer GUVis-3511 built by Biospherical Instruments provides automated shipborne measurements of the direct, diffuse and global spectral irradiance components without a requirement for platform stabilization. Several direct sun products, including spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth, Ångström exponent and precipitable water, can be derived from these observations. The individual steps of the data analysis are described, and the different sources of uncertainty are discussed. The total uncertainty of the observed direct beam transmittances is estimated to be about 4 % for most channels within a 95 % confidence interval for shipborne operation. The calibration is identified as the dominating contribution to the total uncertainty. A comparison of direct beam transmittance with those obtained from a Cimel sunphotometer at a land site and a manually operated Microtops II sunphotometer on a ship is presented. Measurements deviate by less than 3 and 4 % on land and on ship, respectively, for most channels and in agreement with our previous uncertainty estimate. These numbers demonstrate that the instrument is well suited for shipborne operation, and the applied methods for motion correction work accurately. Based on spectral direct beam transmittance, aerosol optical depth can be retrieved with an uncertainty of 0.02 for all channels within a 95 % confidence interval. The different methods to account for Rayleigh scattering and gas absorption in our scheme and in the Aerosol Robotic Network processing for Cimel sunphotometers lead to minor deviations. Relying on the cross calibration of the 940 nm water vapor channel with the Cimel sunphotometer, the column amount of precipitable water can be estimated with an uncertainty of ±0.034 cm.

scholarly journals Aerosol Single Scattering Albedo retrieval in the UV range: an application to OMI satellite validation

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 19009-19033 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ialongo ◽  
V. Buchard ◽  
C. Brogniez ◽  
G. R. Casale ◽  
A. M. Siani
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Absorbing Aerosols

Abstract. The aerosol Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) and Absorbing Aerosol Optical Depth (AAOD) at 320.1 nm are derived at Rome site by the comparison between Brewer and modelled spectra. The UVSPEC radiative transfer model is used to calculate the UV irradiances for different SSA values, taking into account as input data total ozone and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) obtained from Brewer spectral measurements. The accuracy in determining SSA depends on the aerosol amount and on Solar Zenith Angle (SZA) value: SSA uncertainty increases when AOD and SZA decrease. The monthly mean values of SSA and AAOD during the period January 2005–June 2008 are analysed, showing a monthly and seasonal variability. It is found that the SSA and AAOD averages are 0.80±0.08 and 0.056±0.028, respectively. AAOD retrievals are also used to quantify the error in the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) surface UV products due to absorbing aerosols, not included in the current OMI UV algorithm. OMI and Brewer UV irradiances at 324.1 nm and Erythemal Dose Rates (EDRs) under clear sky conditions, are compared as a function of AAOD. Three methods are considered to investigate on the applicability of an absorbing aerosol correction on OMI UV data at Rome site. Depending on the correction methodology, the bias value decreases from 18% to 2% for spectral irradiance at 324.1 nm and from 25% to 8% for EDR.

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