Scattering in the atmosphere

The solar radiation received from the sun after its direction has been changed by scattering in the atmosphere. 

The secondary radiation is collimated hy absorption euid scattering in the atmosphere rmd consists of a number of components associated with different pruticle species, ffigh energy primary particles can produce Iru ge numbers of secondary pcU ticles forming an extensive air shower. Thus, a number of pcU ticles may then be detected simulttmeously at sea-level. 

C. F. Bohren (Ed.), Selected Papers on Scattering in the Atmosphere, SPIE Vol. MS 7, SPIE Optical Engineering, Bellingham, WA, 1989. 

The spectrum of solar radiation reaching the top of the earth s atmosphere is close to the black-body radiation curve for an emitter at 5,520 K. Absorption and scattering in the atmosphere decrease the apparent temperature to about 5,200 K at sea level. The overall entropy change (ASa + ASr) associated with photoexcitation here is, therefore, on the order of 0.25hv/ 300 K) — hv/ 5,200 K) = 0.20/iv/(300 K). 

Figure 5.7 Trajectories in the scattering by a Lennard-Jones potential (a) rainbow scattering, Q E,b) = -71, so called because of the similarity between its mathematical description and that of light scattering in the atmosphere, which leads to the formation of rainbows, (b) Example of a collision captures in an orbit, which may eventually be unstable and lead to separation of the particles.

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