Actinometric Equipment of Soviet Meteorological Satellites

Abstract : The article describes some of the actinometric equipment used on Soviet meteorological satellites to measure (1) the outgoing emittance of Earth and atmosphere, and (2) the effective radiation temperature of the terrestrial surface and clouds. Two actinometric instrument types make up a standard equipment package: (1) a narrow-angle lucimeter, (2) a wide-angle flux-density meter. The instruments are described and the more important technical specifications are cited. (Author)