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Visibility Extinction Supplied Coefficient Tool

Apply the homogeneous exponential-contrast model using an explicit detection threshold, without selecting a visibility standard.

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Description

Return contrast-threshold visibility under an extinction model.

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 contrast-threshold visibility under an extinction model.

When to use this tool

Use Visibility Extinction Supplied Coefficient when checking the stated optical, radiometric, cloud-code or coverage convention.

How to use the tool and how it works

  1. Enter extinction, contrastThreshold. Use the units and conventions below.
  2. Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
  3. Read visibility. Use the output convention below.

Return contrast-threshold visibility under an extinction model. Require extinction > 0 and contrastThreshold in (0,1); visibility = -ln(threshold)/extinction.1

Input fieldMeaning and unitsAccepted input
extinctionExtinctionRequired. Finite number; strictly above 0.
contrastThresholdContrast ThresholdRequired. Finite number; strictly above 0; strictly below 1.
Output fieldInterpretationReturned shape
visibilityVisibilityRequired. Finite number.
json
{
  "input": {
    "extinction": 0.01,
    "contrastThreshold": 0.05
  },
  "output": {
    "visibility": 299.57322735539907
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

  • This assumes uniform extinction and the supplied contrast definition; actual visual range, weather and transport safety are not determined.
  • 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

  1. Calculation and input contract: atmospheric-science/visibility-extinction-supplied-coefficient — tool.io

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