Atmospheric Transmittance And Radiance: The Lowtran Code

A computer code, LOWTRAN, has been developed for calculating the transmittance and background radiance of the earth's atmosphere at moderate spectral resolution (20 cm-1). The code was derived using a single parameter band model for molecular absorption and includes the effects of continuum absorption, molecular scattering, and aerosol extinction. A choice of atmospheric models is provided to the user for any atmospheric slant path. The model is described and application of the code is given by comparisons with atmospheric transmittance and radiance measurements.