Solar UV irradiance measurements: The UARS and EOS SOLSTICE

Solar radiation at wavelengths below 300 nm is almost completely absorbed b y the Earth's atmosphere, becoming the dominant direct energy source and pl aying a major role in atmospheric chemistry and dynamics. Even small change s in this incoming radiation field will have both direct and indirect influ ences on atmospheric processes, and perhaps will affect climate as well. The SOLSTICE on NASA's UARS has made daily measurements since October 1991 and continues operation today. A second generation SOLSTICE is being develo ped, and it will be launched on NASA's SORCE mission in July 2002. There is every expectation that the UARS and SORCE observation programs will overla p, providing an uninterrupted data series for almost twenty years. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.