Abstract
ALL weather, and all life, on the earth are derived ultimately from the sun, and knowledge of the radiation emitted from the sun may be regarded as one of the fundamental sciences. Most of our knowledge of this important subject has resulted from the work and enthusiasm of one man, Dr. C. G. Abbot, of the Astrophysical Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution, who has carried on the work for a generation in the face of many difficulties and much discouragement. The problem is indeed a difficult one, for between the sun and the earth is interposed the atmosphere, and the radiation which reaches the surface is weakened by absorption and scattering. Water vapour, dust, and to a less extent ozone are the worst enemies, and a large part of vol. 6 of the Annals of the Astrophysical Observatory is occupied in describing the continuous attempts to overcome them during the years 1931-1940*. What might have been an even less surmountable enemy, the financial one, has been vanquished mainly with the help of Mr. John A. Roebling.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BROOKS, C. RADIATION FROM THE SUN. Nature 150, 226–227 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/150226a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/150226a0