NASA’s Solar Irradiance Science Team (SIST) #2 (SIST-2) program is a research initiative within the Earth Science Division that aims to investigate and understand the variability of solar irradiance and its implications for Earth’s climate and atmospheric composition. This article provides an overview of the SIST-2 program and its significance in the field of solar radiation research.
What is the purpose of the SIST-2 program?
The primary objective of the SIST-2 program is to accurately quantify and specify the incoming solar irradiance into the Earth system. Solar irradiance refers to the amount of solar energy or brightness that reaches the Earth’s surface. Understanding solar irradiance and its variability is crucial for assessing its impact on climate change, atmospheric processes, and other environmental factors.
The SIST-2 program specifically focuses on utilizing the 44-year satellite data record, in addition to proxies that can be linked to the satellite record. By analyzing these data sources, researchers aim to improve our knowledge of solar irradiance variability and develop more accurate models and datasets related to solar radiation.
How many research grants are there in the SIST-2 program?
The SIST-2 program allocated funding for eight research grants. These grants were awarded to individual projects that delve into various aspects of solar irradiance variability and its characterization. Each research grant provides a three-year period to conduct extensive studies from July 2018 to July 2021.
The SIST-2 projects: Brief introduction
The eight research projects funded by the SIST-2 program investigate the variability of total solar irradiance and solar spectral irradiance. These projects also aim to improve the quality and reliability of space-based datasets, solar proxies, and variability models associated with solar radiation.
“The SIST-2 program enables us to explore the complexity of solar irradiance and its impacts on Earth’s climate and atmospheric composition. By funding these research projects, we can gain crucial insights into solar variability and better understand our planet’s changing environment.” – Thomas N. Woods, Lead Author of the SIST-2 Research Paper
One of the key objectives of the SIST-2 projects is to scrutinize the long-term satellite observations of solar radiation to determine the extent of its variability. By analyzing these observations, scientists can gain valuable insights into the changes in solar brightness over time. Additionally, researchers aim to integrate these satellite observations with solar proxies, which serve as indicators or substitutes for actual solar radiation measurements when satellite data is unavailable or limited.
What is analyzed to understand the solar radiation variability?
As part of the SIST-2 program, scientists analyze satellite data records spanning 44 years to gain a comprehensive understanding of solar radiation variability. These satellite observations provide crucial information about the changes in solar irradiance and its impact on Earth’s climate.
Researchers delve into the satellite data to establish patterns and trends in solar irradiance variability over various timescales, ranging from days to years to centuries. By identifying these variations, scientists can build models and develop improved datasets that accurately represent the solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.
Additionally, the SIST-2 program emphasizes the use of proxies to complement the satellite record. These proxies, which are indicators linking particular phenomena to solar irradiance, help fill in the gaps when direct satellite measurements are unavailable. By utilizing combinations of satellite data and proxies, researchers can generate more comprehensive and accurate models of solar irradiance variability.
Takeaways
The Solar Irradiance Science Team (SIST) #2 program represents NASA’s commitment to advancing our understanding of solar irradiance and its role in shaping Earth’s environment. By funding eight research projects, the SIST-2 program offers insights into solar variability and helps us accurately quantify solar radiation inputs into our planet’s climate system. Through the analysis of satellite data records and the integration of solar proxies, scientists strive to enhance our understanding of solar irradiance variability and its implications.
Source:
Research Article: Overview of NASA’s Solar Irradiance Science Team #2 (SIST-2) Program
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