Atmospheric radiation (Troll og Zeppelin)

Atmospheric radiation is continuously measured at the Zeppelin Observatory in Ny-Ålesund and at the Troll Research Station in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Both sites have instruments mounted on a platform which moves with the sun, enabling us to measure the light that comes directly from the sun separately from what is dispersed by the atmosphere and originates from the rest of the sky. One instrument measures all incoming sunlight from all directions, while another measures infrared light radiated by the atmosphere. Using these measurements, we are able to monitor an important part of the climate system – the energy that is available to heat the surface of the Earth. We can also better understand the importance of processes in the atmosphere that affect sunlight and the radiation of infrared light (e.g. clouds).