Description
Return plane-parallel slant aerosol optical depth.
Atmospheric optical and radiation quantities distinguish spectral density, integrated flux, solid-angle response and reporting codes. A local attenuation factor, bin contribution or coverage bound requires compatible geometry and definitions rather than establishing a complete radiative transfer or observed cloud state.
Return plane-parallel slant aerosol optical depth.
When to use this tool
Use Aerosol Optical Depth Slant Factor when checking the stated optical, radiometric, cloud-code or coverage convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter verticalDepth, zenithRadians. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read slantDepth. Use the output convention below.
Return plane-parallel slant aerosol optical depth. Require verticalDepth >= 0 and zenithRadians in [0,pi/2); slantDepth = verticalDepth/cos(zenith).1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| verticalDepth | Vertical Depth | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| zenithRadians | Zenith Radians | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| slantDepth | Slant Depth | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"verticalDepth": 0.2,
"zenithRadians": 1.0471975511965976
},
"output": {
"slantDepth": 0.3999999999999999
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- This secant approximation becomes unsuitable near the horizon and does not model Earth curvature, multiple scattering or actual aerosol observations.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use the source-specific observation code table and an appropriate calibrated spectral/atmospheric model for actual cloud or radiative interpretation.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Optical Path Airmass Factor
Return plane-parallel airmass and slant optical depth.
- Rayleigh Scattering Wavelength Ratio
Return Rayleigh wavelength scaling.