A method for controlling the reliability of ground-based polarimetric measurements of the atmosphere

Ovsak, OS
Kinemat. fiz. nebesnyh tel (Online) 2024, 40(4):78-89
Language: Ukrainian
Abstract: 

Formation processes of polarization parameters spatial distribution in the Earth’s atmosphere are considered. Among the modern development of devices for atmospheric polarimetric measurements, the perspective of creating equipment for ground-based measurements is highlighted. Determining method for polarization parameters at the celestial hemisphere is described, when the ground-based polarimetric measurements data are in use. A spatial diagram of the mutual location of the main elements in the process of light scattering is presented. Calculating formulas for the angle (AoLP) and for the degree (DoLP) of the sky linear polarization are represented for light scattering by a purely gaseous component of the atmosphere. The impact on the specified sky polarization parameters due to changes in the characteristics of the atmospheric aerosol is considered. The key idea of the proposed method of controlling the reliability of ground-based polarimetric measurements is to use the stability of the spatial distribution of the AoLP parameter in the celestial hemisphere. The algorithm for such control is described and recommendations for its practical application are provided.The use of the DoLP parameter is indicated as an opportunity only for qualitative evaluation of the data of ground-based polarimetric measurements. Examples of visualization of the spatial distribution of sky polarization parameters in the model environment for a selected position, date, and time of observation are presented.

Keywords: Earth’s atmosphere, light scattering, linear polarization parameters, polarimeter, reliability of measurements data