ABSTRACT
Changes in the atmospheric abundance of greenhouse gases and aerosols, in solar radiation and in land surface properties, alter the energy balance of the climate system. Net radiation is the energy that evaporates water or sublimates ice, produces sensible heat that raises the temperature of the atmosphere, and heats surface soil or water. The measurements are not widely made, but several Baseline Surface Radiation Network sites, which field first-class radiation sensors, are making the measurements. The simplicity of concept and construction of a single-unit-construction net radiometer would appear to be a good design. The polyethylene domes transmit most of the radiation in the short and long wavelengths. The bubble level allows for a proper orientation. The sensors provide details of the incident radiation for each of the components of net radiation. An interim standard for the measurement of IR irradiance was developed at the World Radiation Center in Davos, Switzerland.
