Zenith Sky Research Articles

Tropospheric nitrogen dioxide column retrieval from ground-based zenith–sky DOAS observations

Abstract. We present an algorithm for retrieving tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vertical column densities (VCDs) from ground-based zenith–sky (ZS) measurements of scattered sunlight. The method is based on a four-step approach consisting of (1) the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) analysis of ZS radiance spectra using a fixed reference spectrum corresponding to low NO2 absorption, (2) the determination of the residual amount in the reference spectrum using a Langley-plot-type method, (3) the removal of the stratospheric content from the daytime total measured slant column based on stratospheric VCDs measured at sunrise and sunset, and simulation of the rapid NO2 diurnal variation, (4) the retrieval of tropospheric VCDs by dividing the resulting tropospheric slant columns by appropriate air mass factors (AMFs). These steps are fully characterized and recommendations are given for each of them. The retrieval algorithm is applied on a ZS data set acquired with a multi-axis (MAX-) DOAS instrument during the Cabauw (51.97° N, 4.93° E, sea level) Intercomparison campaign for Nitrogen Dioxide measuring Instruments (CINDI) held from 10 June to 21 July 2009 in the Netherlands. A median value of 7.9 × 1015 molec cm−2 is found for the retrieved tropospheric NO2 VCDs, with maxima up to 6.0 × 1016 molec cm−2. The error budget assessment indicates that the overall error σTVCD on the column values is less than 28%. In the case of low tropospheric contribution, σTVCD is estimated to be around 39% and is dominated by uncertainties in the determination of the residual amount in the reference spectrum. For strong tropospheric pollution events, σTVCD drops to approximately 22% with the largest uncertainties on the determination of the stratospheric NO2 abundance and tropospheric AMFs. The tropospheric VCD amounts derived from ZS observations are compared to VCDs retrieved from off-axis and direct-sun measurements of the same MAX-DOAS instrument as well as to data from a co-located Système d'Analyse par Observations Zénithales (SAOZ) spectrometer. The retrieved tropospheric VCDs are in good agreement with the different data sets with correlation coefficients and slopes close to or larger than 0.9. The potential of the presented ZS retrieval algorithm is further demonstrated by its successful application on a 2-year data set, acquired at the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change) station Observatoire de Haute Provence (OHP; Southern France).

On the relation between zenith sky brightness and horizontal illuminance

On the relation between zenith sky brightness and horizontal illuminance

Improved retrieval of nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) column densities by means of MKIV Brewer spectrophotometers

Abstract. A new algorithm to retrieve nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column densities using MKIV ("Mark IV") Brewer spectrophotometers is described. The method includes several improvements, such as a more recent spectroscopic data set, the reduction of measurement noise, interference by other atmospheric species and instrumental settings, and a better determination of the zenith sky air mass factor. The technique was tested during an ad hoc calibration campaign at the high-altitude site of Izaña (Tenerife, Spain) and the results of the direct sun and zenith sky geometries were compared to those obtained by two reference instruments from the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC): a Fourier Transform Infrared Radiometer (FTIR) and an advanced visible spectrograph (RASAS-II) based on the differential optical absorption spectrometry (DOAS) technique. To determine the extraterrestrial constant, an easily implementable extension of the standard Langley technique for very clean sites without tropospheric NO2 was developed which takes into account the daytime linear drift of stratospheric nitrogen dioxide due to photochemistry. The measurement uncertainty was thoroughly determined by using a Monte Carlo technique. Poisson noise and wavelength misalignments were found to be the most influential contributors to the overall uncertainty, and possible solutions are proposed for future improvements. The new algorithm is backward-compatible, thus allowing for the reprocessing of historical data sets.

Assessment and Validation of i-Skyradiometer Retrievals Using Broadband Flux and MODIS Data

Ground-based network of cloud measurements is presently limited and there exists uncertainty in the cloud microphysical parameters derived from ground-based measurements. Bias in the i-skyradiometer derived cloud optical depth (τc) and droplet effective radius (Reff) and the importance of these parameters in the parameterization of clouds in climate models have made us intend to develop a possible method for improving these parameters. A new combination method, which uses zenith sky transmittance and surface radiation measurements, has been proposed in the present study to improve the retrievals. The i-skyradiometer derived parametersτcandReffhave been provided as a first guess to a radiative transfer model (SBDART) and a new retrieval algorithm has been implemented to obtain the best combination ofτcandReffhaving minimum bias (−0.09 and −2.5) between the simulated global and diffuse fluxes at the surface with the collocated surface radiation measurements. The new retrieval method has improvedτcandReffvalues compared to those derived using the transmittance only method and are in good agreement with the MODIS satellite retrievals. The study therefore suggests a possible improvement of the i-skyradiometer derived cloud parameters using observed radiation fluxes and a radiative transfer model.

Variation of Spectral Radiance of the Zenith Sky During the Annular Eclipse on May 21, 2012

The absolute brightness of the zenith sky was measured using a simple calibrated spectrometer during the annular solar eclipse event on May 21, 2012 in Fujioka City, Japan (36.2924°N, 139.0823°E). The sensitivity of the spectrometer was calibrated as a function of wavelength between 400 and 700 nm with an integral sphere. The brightness of the sky decreased to 6 % of its usual condition at the maximum magnitude of the annular eclipse of 0.95 for all wavelengths. The curve describing the variation of sky brightness accords well with the total luminosity of the solar disk estimated by a simple model that accounts for the limb darkening effect. This study provides zenith sky radiance as a function of wavelength and solar elevation angle, which is useful for the investigation of new optical instruments for atmospheric studies.

Measuring Total Column Water Vapor by Pointing an Infrared Thermometer at the Sky

A 2-yr study affirms that the temperature indicated by an inexpensive ($20–$60) IR thermometer pointed at the cloud-free zenith sky (Tz) is a proxy for total column water vapor [precipitable water (PW)]. From 8 September 2008 to 18 October 2010 Tz was measured either at or near solar noon, and occasionally at night, at a field in south-central Texas. PW was measured by a MICROTOPS II sun photometer. The coefficient of correlation (r2) of PW and Tz was 0.90, and the rms difference was 3.2 mm. A comparison of Tz with PW from a GPS site 31 km northnortheast yielded an r2 of 0.79 and an rms difference of 5.8 mm. An expanded study compared Tz from eight IR thermometers with PW at various times during the day and night from 17 May to 18 October 2010, mainly at the Texas site, with an additional 10 days at Hawaii's Mauna Loa Observatory. The best results were provided by two IR thermometers that yielded an r2 of 0.96 and an rms difference with PW of 2.7 mm. The results of both the ongoing 2-yr study and the 5-month comparison show that IR thermometers can measure PW with an accuracy (rms difference/mean PW) approaching 10%, which is the accuracy typically ascribed to sun photometers. The simpler IR method, which works during both day and night, can be easily mastered by students, amateur scientists, and cooperative weather observers.

Sensitivity of Dobson and Brewer Umkehr ozone profile retrievals to ozone cross-sections and stray light effects

Abstract. Remote sounding methods are used to derive ozone profile and column information from various ground-based and satellite measurements. Vertical ozone profiles measured in Dobson units (DU) are currently retrieved based on laboratory measurements of the ozone absorption cross-section spectrum between 270 and 400 nm published in 1985 by Bass and Paur (BP). Recently, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) proposed using the set of ozone cross-section measurements made at the Daumont laboratory in 1992 (BDM) for revising the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) satellite ozone profiles and total ozone column retrievals. Dobson Umkehr zenith sky data have been collected by NOAA ground-based stations at Boulder, CO (BDR) and Mauna Loa Observatory, HI (MLO) since the 1980s. The UMK04 algorithm is based on the BP ozone cross-section data. It is currently used for all Dobson Umkehr data processing submitted to the World Ozone and Ultraviolet radiation Data Centre (WOUDC) under the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Ozone profiles are also retrieved from measurements by the Mark IV Brewers operated by the NOAA-EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer UV and Ozone Network (NEUBrew) using a modified UMK04 algorithm (O3BUmkehr v.2.6, Martin Stanek). This paper describes the sensitivity of the Umkehr retrievals with respect to the proposed ozone cross-section changes. It is found that the ozone cross-section choice only minimally (within the retrieval accuracy) affects the Dobson and the Brewer Umkehr retrievals. On the other hand, significantly larger errors were found in the MLO and Boulder Umkehr ozone data (−8 and +5% bias in stratosphere and troposphere respectively) when the out-of-band (OOB) stray light contribution to the Umkehr measurement is not taken into account (correction is currently not included in the UMK04). The vertical distribution of OOB effect in the retrieved profile can be related to the local ozone climatology, instrument degradation, and optical characteristics of the instrument. Nonetheless, recurring OOB errors do not contribute to the long-term ozone trends.

Zenith scattered light measurement: observations of BrO and OClO

Stratospheric BrO and OClO observations have been made for the first time over a tropical station, Pune (18° 31′ N, 73° 55′ E) using a Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique by measuring zenith sky scattered light spectra in the wavelength range of 346–358 nm by ultraviolet (UV)/visible spectrometer. The Differential Optical Density (DOD) fitting technique is applied for the right selection of a suitable spectral region for the analysis to minimize interference and poorly fitting absorption features, and also to minimize the residual of the fit. Observed DODs of O3, NO2, BrO, OClO, O4, Rayleigh and Ring are well fitted with the calculated DODs and the percentage DODs are found to vary up to 0.5%, 0.8%, 0.15%, 0.13%, 1.5%, 1.2% and 1.3% respectively. Chlorine and bromine species play an important role in the ozone depletion, hence O3, NO2, BrO and OClO Slant Column Densities (SCDs) are derived between 76° and 94° Solar Zenith Angles (SZAs). The SCDs of O3 are found to be decreased in the twilight period (i.e. between 90° and 94° SZA) in the presence of sufficient BrO and OClO. Total Column Densities (TCDs) of O3, NO2, BrO and OClO are derived by UV/visible spectrometry, Brewer spectrometry and satellite-based Scanning Imaging Absorption spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY) for Pune and the higher latitude station Kanpur (26° 28′ N, 80° 24′ E) during the period 1 April–31 June 2008. The day-to-day variations in O3 and NO2 TCDs over Pune are found to be more than over Kanpur. BrO TCDs vary between 1.9 × 1013 and 4 × 1013 molecules cm−2 over Pune, which are derived by UV/visible spectrometry, while they vary for the high-altitude station Kanpur between 0.5 × 1013 and 3.5 × 1013 molecules cm−2 derived by SCIAMACHY. The OClO TCDs are found to have an increasing trend with variations between 2 × 1013 and 4.5 × 1013 molecules cm−2 during the above period.

Predicting sky types and zenith luminance from the cloud index derived from geostationary satellite data

This paper presents methods to predict sky types and hourly zenith luminance from cloud index n derived from the visible channel data of the geostationary satellites. Three sky conditions based on the CIE standard general sky can be classified by cloud index: n > 0.38, 0.13 ≤ n ≤ 0.38 and n < 0.13, corresponding to overcast, partly cloudy and clear sky conditions, more specifically to sky 1, sky 8 and sky 13 of the ‘Hong Kong Representative Sky’. Hourly zenith luminance can be derived as a function of the combination of relative standard overcast sky zenith luminance and relative standard clear sky zenith luminance determined by cloud index. The mean bias error and the root mean square error of hourly zenith luminance are 0.49 and 3.37 kcd/m2, respectively.

New method for deriving total ozone from Brewer zenith sky observations

[1] The Brewer spectrophotometer derives total column ozone from UV measurements using two operational modes: observing either direct sunlight (DS) or zenith sky (ZS) scattered sunlight. While DS measurements are more accurate, ZS measurements are necessary for generating long-term ozone time series unbiased by meteorological conditions and for the validation of satellite algorithms for cloudy scenes. In the ZS mode, column ozone (X) is obtained using the slant path (μ) and a weighted sum of the logarithms of the ZS intensities (F). Prior to this, however, a set of nine empirical coefficients, specific to each instrument, must be derived that relate μ and X to F. This requires a large set of near-simultaneous ZS and DS measurements that span the operational range of X and μ, which is difficult to obtain. In this work, a modified algorithm is presented in which radiative transfer model simulations of ZS observations are used to derive generic coefficients that describe the sky response to different observing conditions. Instrument-specific coefficients are obtained through a simple scaling and offset of these generic values, derived through ZS-DS comparisons. These two parameters may be accurately determined in a relatively short period of time and using a much more limited data set, such as during regular instrument calibrations. Since the new algorithm provides nine coefficients, no changes to the existing Brewer software are required. It is demonstrated that the new algorithm is as useful as the standard Brewer ZS algorithm with nine empirically estimated parameters derived using a vastly more extensive data set.

Campaign of sky brightness and extinction measurements using a portable CCD camera

In this paper, we present the results of a 12-yr campaign devoted to monitoring the sky brightness affected by different levels of light pollution. Different sites characterized by different altitudes and atmospheric transparency have been considered. The standard photometric Johnson B and V bands were used. An extinction measurement was performed for each site and each night, along with a calibration of the instrument. These measurements have allowed us to build sky brightness maps of the hemisphere above each observing site; each map contains up to 200 data points spread around the sky. We have found a stop in zenith sky brightness growth at the two sites where a time series exists. Using zenith sky brightness measurements taken with and without extensive snow coverage, we weighted the importance of direct versus indirect flux in producing sky glow at several sites.

Car MAX-DOAS measurements around entire cities: quantification of NO<sub>x</sub> emissions from the cities of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen (Germany)

Abstract. We present car Multi-Axis (MAX-) DOAS observations of tropospheric NO2 carried out on circles around the cities of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen (Germany) on 24 August 2006. Together with information on wind speed and direction, the total emissions of the encircled source(s) are quantified from these measurements. In contrast to recent similar studies based on zenith scattered sun light (elevation angle of 90°), we use a MAX-DOAS instrument mounted on a car, which observes scattered sun light under different elevation angles (here 45°, and 90°). Compared to simple zenith sky observations, MAX-DOAS observations have higher sensitivity and reduced uncertainty, and avoid systematic offsets in the determination of the vertically integrated trace gas concentration. The determination of the absolute value of the integrated tropospheric trace gas concentrations is especially important for the calculation of absolute trace gas fluxes through arbitrary transects. However, even if emission sources are completely surrounded, systematic offsets in the measured vertically integrated trace gas concentration can lead to errors in the determined total emissions, especially for observations around extended areas. In this study we discuss and quantify different error sources. In most cases, the largest error source is the variability and imperfect knowledge of the wind field. In addition – depending on the trace species observed - also chemical transformations between the emission sources and the measurement location have to be considered. For that purpose we use local observations within the encircled area to quantify and/or correct these errors. From our observations we derive a total NOx emission from the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen area of (7.4±1.8)×1024 molec/sec, which if assumed to be constant throughout the year would correspond to a total emission of 17 830±4340 t/yr (calculated with the mass of NO2 t/yr, consistent with existing emission estimates. From our observations it is also possible to separately determine the average influx into the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen area (5.4±0.9×1024 molec/sec or 13 010±2170 t/yr) and the average outflux (12.8±1.8×1024 molec/sec or 13 010±4340 t/yr).

Total column density variations of ozone (O3) in presence of different types of clouds

The zenith sky scattered light spectra were carried out using zenith sky UV-visible spectrometer in clear and cloudy sky conditions during May-November 2000 over the tropical station Pune (18°32′N, 73°51′E). These scattered spectra are obtained in the spectral range 462–498 nm between 75° and 92° solar zenith angles (SZAs). The slant column densities (SCDs) as well as total column densities (TCDs) of NO2, O3, H2O and O4 are derived with different SZAs in clear and cloudy sky conditions. The large enhancements and reductions in TCDs of the above gases are observed in thick cumulonimbus (Cb) clouds and thin high cirrus (Ci) clouds, respectively, compared to clear sky conditions. The enhancements in TCDs of O3 appear to be due to photon diffusion, multiple Mie-scattering and multiple reflections between layered clouds or isolated patches of optically thick clouds. The reductions in TCDs due to optically thin clouds are noticed during the above period. The variations in TCDs of O3 measured under cloudy sky are discussed with total cloud cover (octas) of different types of clouds such as low clouds (C L ), medium clouds (C M ) and high clouds (C H ) during May-November 2000. The variations in TCDs of O3 measured in cloudy sky conditions are found to be well matched with cloud sensitive parameter colour index (CI) and found to be in good correlation. The TCDcloudy are derived using airmass factors (AMFs) computed without considering cloud cover and CI in radiative transfer (RT) model, whereas TCDmodel are derived using AMFs computed with considering cloud cover, cloud height and CI in RT model. The TCDmodel is the column density of illuminated cloudy effect. A good agreement is observed between TCDmodel, TCDDob and TCDGOME.

Remote sensing ‘ground-based automatic UV / visible spectrometer’ for the study of atmospheric trace gases

An advance remote sensing instrument, the ‘ground-based automatic UV / visible spectrometer’, has been developed indigenously at Pune (18° 31′ N, 73° 55′ E) to cover the spectra (462–498 nm) of zenith sky scattered light. A spectrometry technique is used to find out the vertical column density (VCD) of many atmospheric trace gases, such as NO2, O3, H2O and O4. The VCDs of these gases are extracted from observed spectra by comparing the magnitude of the differential optical depth (DOD) of each species in the 462–498 nm spectral range. Slant column densities (SCDs) of each species are found to increase with solar zenith angle (SZA), due to the approaching higher path length of sunlight. The VCDs of O3 and NO2 derived by the UV / visible spectrometer are compared with the ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) Aura satellite and ground-based Brewer spectrometer data. The compared VCD values are found to be close to satellite and ground-based measurements.

Polarization measurements of twilight sky: Studies of atmospheric aerosol from the troposphere to mesosphere

The results of polarization measurements of the twilight sky background are described. The measurements were carried out in the Crimean Laboratory of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute. The main regularities in the behavior of the twilight zenith sky polarization with the Sun zenith distance at wavelengths 513–525 nm, as well as the effects of the atmospheric aerosol on these dependences, are analyzed. The effects of enhanced aerosol scattering in the stratosphere in December 2006 and January 2008 are considered in detail.

Novel retrieval of volcanic SO 2 abundance from ultraviolet spectra

The recent development of fixed networks of scanning ultraviolet spectrometers for automatic determination of volcanic SO 2 fluxes has created tremendous opportunities for monitoring volcanoes but has brought new challenges in processing (and interpreting) the copious data flow they produce. A particular difficulty in standard implantation of differential optical absorption (DOAS) methods is the requirement for a clear-sky (plume-free) background spectrum. Our experience after four years of measurements with two UV scanner networks on Etna and Stromboli shows that wide plumes are frequently observed, precluding simple selection of clear-sky spectra. We have therefore developed a retrieval approach based on simulation of the background spectrum. We describe the method here and tune it empirically by collecting clear, zenith sky spectra using calibration cells containing known amounts of SO 2. We then test the performance of this optimised retrieval using clear-sky spectra collected with the same calibration cells but for variable scan angles, time of day, and season (through the course of 1 year), finding acceptable results (~ 12% error) for SO 2 column amounts. We further illustrate the analytical approach using spectra recorded at Mt. Etna during its July 2006 eruption. We demonstrate the reliability of the method for tracking volcano dynamics on different time scales, and suggest it is widely suited to automated SO 2-plume monitoring.

Magmatic degassing at Erta 'Ale volcano, Ethiopia

Here we report measurements of the chemical composition and flux of gas emitted from the central lava lake at Erta 'Ale volcano (Ethiopia) made on 15 October 2005. We determined an average SO 2 flux of ∼ 0.69 ± 0.17 kg s − 1 using zenith sky ultraviolet spectroscopy of the plume, and molar proportions of magmatic H 2O, CO 2, SO 2, CO, HCl and HF gases to be 93.58, 3.66, 2.47, 0.06, 0.19 and 0.04%, respectively, by open-path Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. Together, these data imply fluxes of 7.3, 0.7, 0.008, 0.03 and 0.004 kg s − 1 for H 2O, CO 2, CO, HCl and HF, respectively. These are the first FTIR spectroscopic observations at Erta 'Ale, and are also some of the very few gas measurements made at the volcano since the early 1970s (Gerlach, T.M., 1980b. Investigation of volcanic gas analyses and magma outgassing from Erta 'Ale lava lake, Afar, Ethiopia. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 7(3–4): 415–441). We identify significant increases in the proportion of H 2O in the plume with respect to both CO 2 and SO 2 across this 30-year interval, which we attribute to the depletion of volatiles in magma that sourced effusive eruptions during the early 1970s and/or to fractional magma degassing between the two active pit craters located in the summit caldera.

Performance of the ground‐based total ozone network assessed using satellite data

Dobson and Brewer spectrophotometer and filter ozonometer data available from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data Centre (WOUDC) were compared with satellite total ozone measurements from TOMS (onboard Nimbus 7, Meteor 3, and Earth Probe satellites), OMI (AURA satellite) and GOME (ERS‐2 satellite) instruments. Five characteristics of the difference with satellite data were calculated for each site and instrument type: the mean difference, the standard deviation of daily differences, the standard deviation of monthly differences, the amplitude of the seasonal component of the difference, and the range of annual values. All these characteristics were calculated for five 5‐year‐long bins and for each site separately for direct sun (DS) and zenith sky (ZS) ozone measurements. The main percentiles were estimated for the five characteristics of the difference and then used to establish criteria for “suspect” or “outlier” sites for each characteristic. About 61% of Dobson, 46% of Brewer, and 28% of filter stations located between 60°S and 60°N have no “suspect” or “outlier” characteristics. In nearly 90% of all cases, Dobson and Brewer sites demonstrated 5‐year mean differences with satellites to be within ±3% (for DS observations). The seasonal median difference between all Brewer DS measurements at 25°–60°N and GOME and OMI overpasses remained within ±0.5% over a period of more than 10 years. The satellite instrument performance was also analyzed to determine typical measurement uncertainties. It is demonstrated that systematic differences between the analyzed satellite instruments are typically within ±2% and very rarely are they outside the ±3% envelope. As the satellite instrument measurements appear to be better than ±3%, ground‐based instruments with precision values worse than ±3% are not particularly useful for the analyses of long‐term changes and comparison with numerical simulations.

NO<sub>2</sub> climatology in the northern subtropical region: diurnal, seasonal and interannual variability

Abstract. Daily NO2 vertical column density (VCD) has been routinely measured by zenith sky spectroscopy at the subtropical station of Izaña (28° N, 16° W) since 1993 in the framework of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). Based on 14 years of data the first low latitude NO2 VCD climatology has been established and the main characteristics from short timescales of one day to interannual variability are presented. Instrumental descriptions and different sources of errors are described in detail. The observed diurnal cycle follows that expected by gas-phase NOx chemistry, as can be shown by the good agreement with a vertically integrated chemical box model, and is modulated by solar radiation. The seasonal evolution departs from the phase of the hours of daylight, indicating the signature of upper stratospheric temperature changes. From the data record (1993–2006) no significant long-term trends in NO2 VCD can be inferred. Comparison of the ground-based data sets with nadir-viewing satellite spectrometers shows excellent agreement for SCIAMACHY with differences between both datasets of 1.1%. GOME displays unrealistic features with the largest discrepancies during summer. The ground-based data are compared with long-term output of the SLIMCAT 3-D chemical transport model (CTM). The basic model, forced by ECMWF (ERA-40) analyses, captures the observed NO2 annual cycle but significantly underestimates the spring/summer maximum (by 12% at sunset and up to 25% at sunrise). In a model run which uses assimilation of satellite CH4 profiles to constrain the model long-lived tracers the agreement is significantly improved. This improvement in modelled column NO2 is due to better modelled NOy profiles and points to transport errors in the ECMWF ERA-40 reanalyses.

Modeling sky luminance using satellite data to classify sky conditions

A model for calculating sky luminance is presented. The earth–atmospheric reflectivity obtained from satellite data was used to classify sky conditions. The proposed sky luminance at a specific point in the sky hemisphere is a product of two functions, namely F 1 and F 2. For any point in a sky hemisphere, F 1 varies with the sky zenith of the considered point ( Z) and F 2 is a function of the angular distance between the considered point and the sun ( χ). The model uses simultaneous measurements of sky luminance and GMS-5 satellite observation, both taken at Nakhon Pathom, Thailand (13.70°N, 103.10°E), during November 2002 to May 2003. Both F 1 and F 2 are derived as polynomial functions of χ, Z and the solar zenith angle ( Z s) for each sky condition. The classification of the sky condition is based on the satellite-derived earth–atmospheric reflectivity. This sky luminance model was validated against independent measurements from the Asia Institute of Technology (AIT) (14.08°N, 100.62°E). The root mean square difference (RMSD) between the relative sky luminance calculated from the model and that obtained from the measurement is 0.133.