Solar Spectral Irradiance Variability in Cycle 24: Observations and Models

TL;DR

This study analyzes the variability of solar spectral irradiance during Cycle 24 using satellite observations and compares them with model predictions, revealing good agreement across different instruments and models.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of SSI variability observations with model predictions during Cycle 24, enhancing understanding of solar irradiance changes.

Findings

Good agreement between observations and models across wavelengths

Satellite instruments show consistent SSI variability patterns

Results improve modeling of solar spectral irradiance for climate studies

Abstract

Utilizing the excellent stability of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), we characterize both short-term (solar rotation) and long-term (solar cycle) changes of the solar spectral irradiance (SSI) between 265-500 nm during the on-going Cycle 24. We supplement the OMI data with concurrent observations from the GOME-2 and SORCE instruments and find fair-to-excellent, depending on wavelength, agreement among the observations and predictions of the NRLSSI2 and SATIRE-S models.