Infrared Background Measurement

The objective of this program was to measure the background radiance of the earth and its limb in the infrared from high altitude. Two types of measurements were to be made high resolution spectral measurements using an interferometer system and moderate resolution measurements, particularly in the 4.3 micrometer and 15 micrometer region, using filter radiometers. The high resolution data were to be obtained by means of a liquid-nitrogen-cooled total containment interferometer system which was to be government-furnished equipment. This instrument was not delivered during the program hence, no data were obtained. Two filter radiometers were flown on the Stratcom VIII B payload one with a filter centered at 2362 cm-1 and the other at 682.3 cm-1. Data obtained with the 682.3cm-1 unit are presented and compared with the radiant temperatures determined from the rawinsonde runs.