THE EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON THE SIGNAL RECEIVED BY A VELA-SIERRA SYSTEM.

Abstract : The effects of a double overcast on the signature of the light received by a Vela-Sierra sensor from a zenith burst were studied. This task is essentially completed. Calculations of the fluorescent signal received by a Vela sensor from a deep space nuclear burst through a double overcast were completed for several values of height and transmission factor of the overcasts. Broken cloud effects were investigated. The fluorescent signal received by a Vela sensor from a deep space nuclear burst in the presence of a disk cloud has been calculated. The calculations were performed for several values of disk cloud altitude, zenith angle, transmission and radius. The effects of the scattering of light from the cloud edges were studied and it was shown that edges contribute relatively less light signal than that transmitted through the cloud for thin clouds. Some preliminary testing was begun of filter techniques for experimental measurements of certain properties of the transport of light in clouds.