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701-1237-00L 1 Credits DR , MSC D-USYS

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Julian Gröbner, Dr. Stelios Kazantzis
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:14

Abstract

The lecture will introduce the student to the thematic of solar ultraviolet radiation and its effects on the atmosphere and the biosphere, as well as the retrieval of atmospheric trace gases. The lecture will also cover the modeling and the measurement of solar ultraviolet radiation.

Objective

- Effects of solar UV radiation on the Atmosphere, Humans, and the biosphere in general. - Measurements of solar UV radiation (ground-based, satellite-based). - Introduction to radiative transfer modelling, specifically for UV radiation. - Methods to retrieve atmospheric constituents such as atmospheric ozone and aerosols from solar radiation measurements. - Modelling of Solar UV radiation using satellite-based datasets.

Content

The Lecture is composed of the following chapters: 1) Introduction and Motivation on the impact of solar UV radiation on the atmosphere, humans, and the biosphere in general. 2) Historical review of the scientific research. 3) Variability of solar UV radiation from a solar perspective (solar cycle, solar UV variability, impact on the higher atmosphere). 4) Understanding the variability of ground-based solar UV radiation with respect to the parameters influencing the transfer of solar UV radiation through the atmosphere. 5) Introduction to radiative transfer modeling, with emphasis on solar UV radiation. 6) Instruments to measure solar UV radiation 7) Retrieval of atmospheric trace gases from solar radiation measurements. Specific examples for retrieving atmospheric ozone, aerosols, and surface albedo. 8) Solar UV modelling over Europe at high spatial resolution using satellite-based datasets.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes are based on the slides presented during the individual lectures. They will be handed out prior to the course via Moddle.

Literature

An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation, K.N. Liou, ISBN 978-0-12-451451-5 Radiative transfer by S. Chandrasekhar, Solar ultraviolet Radiation, Eds. C. Zerefos, A. Bais, ISBN 3-540-62711-1 The Chemistry and Physics of Stratospheric Ozone, A. Dessler, ISBN 0-12-212051-5

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Two exercises will be distributed during the period of the lecture. The exercises are to be done individually by each student and submitted electronically to the supervisor. The correction will take place during the following lecture course.The use of a computing package such as Matlab, Python, R would be advantageous.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Solar Ultraviolet Radiation
Unregelmässige Lehrveranstaltung
  • Wed 14:15-16:00 (HG D 3.1)
  • 10.11 Date 14:15-16:00 (HG D 3.1)
1 h weekly

Offered In