SORCE and TSIS‐1 SIM Comparison: Absolute Irradiance Scale Reconciliation

Abstract

Abstract The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) and Total and Spectral Irradiance Sensor (TSIS‐1) conducted an intercomparison for the two Spectral Irradiance Monitors (SIM) spanning 704 days from 23 March 2018 to 25 February 2020 and permitted 554 time‐matched pairs of observations. This comparison was conducted during the extremely quiescent Solar Cycle 24 minimum, so all observed differences and drifts between the two sensors are instrumental in nature. The TSIS‐1 SIM benefitted from advanced calibration capabilities based on SI standards that were not available during the preflight calibration time period of SORCE. For this reason, a revision of the SORCE SIM absolute scale is appropriate. As expected, wavelength dependent differences in absolute agreement are a function of detector sensitivity and local changes in spectral slope. At the time of the comparison SORCE SIM has been on‐orbit for 17 years while TSIS‐1 observations commenced immediately after a 100‐day outgassing and commissioning period. Peak‐to‐peak absolute scale differences are about 12% with a mean fractional difference of 0.7% ± 2.9%. The greatest scale differences occur at the change‐over between the UV and visible photodiodes in the 310 nm region, and a systematic disagreement is present in the 850–1,600 nm range. A multiplicative scale correction factor has been developed to reconcile the TSIS‐1 and SORCE difference with a wavelength dependent error on the mean typically less than 0.01% derived from every matched pair of observations.

Keywords

• solar irradiance
• instrumentation
• intercomparison