GRAD Measurements

GRAD's primary interest is in making and understanding observations of the basic components of the earth's surface radiation budget, upwards and downwards solar and thermal infrared irradiance, with emphasis on global and regional climatic implications. Each of the four radiation budget components can be measured directly, with limited accuracy, with commercially available instruments. GRAD makes additional observations of radiation and environmental parameters that aid in the evaluation and interpretation of the observations. Seven ongoing long-term observational programs are underway, four dating back more than 20 years, at the globally remote network sites.

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