Status of the SOLAR2000 solar irradiance model

SOLAR2000 is a collaborative project for accurately characterizing solar ir radiance variability across the full spectrum. The SOLAR2000 model is being developed as an image- and full-disk proxy empirical solar irradiance mode l covering the spectral range of 1-10,000 nm at 1 nm resolution starting in 1947. The overarching scientific goal of the project is to understand how the Sun varies spectrally and through time from the X-rays to infrared wave lengths by providing a self-consistent solar spectrum derived from space-ba sed measurements. The model is used as a fundamental energy input for plane tary atmosphere models and as a baseline for first principles solar models. it is a tool to specify the solar radiation component of the space environ ment and will be compliant with the International Standards Organization (I SO) solar irradiance standard. SOLAR2000 is being developed in five (spectr al range) phases and five forecast time scales for research, contract, oper ations, and commercial grades of the model. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.