Global Radiation and Aerosols - NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory
Source: https://gml.noaa.gov/grad/field.html
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:26
Global Radiation and Aerosols - NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory
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Global Monitoring Laboratory
GRAD Observation Networks
Yellow markers indicate discontinued sites
GML Baseline Observatories:
Surface downwelling solar radiation measurements
at the four original GML baseline observatories began when each of the
observatories was founded. Subsequently, additional measurement of thermal
longwave, upwelling irradiances, and aerosol optical depth were added at
these sites. The Trinidad Head site was established later. The intent of these measurements
was to maintain long-term records of surface radiation budget components
at globally remote sites and to support the other GML research programs
being conducted at these sites. Two of these sites (Barrow and South Pole) also contribute
to the BSRN program as described below.
GML Baseline Network
GML BSRN only sites
The GRAD group maintains additional sites
that are contributers to the World Climate Research Programs (WCRP) Baseline
Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). The BSRN sites, including Barrow and South Pole
were selected for the site's spatial representativeness and suitability
for the applications in climate research involving global climate models
and/or satellite-derived related data sets.
Bermuda and Kwajalein are
funded by NASA HQ Radiation Sciences.
Baseline Surface Radiation Network
SURFRAD Sites:
The GRAD group maintains seven radiation budget
stations in the continental U.S. comprising the Surface Radiation (SURFRAD) Network.
SURFRAD is a component of the World Climate Research Programs (WCRP) Baseline
Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). The SURFRAD sites
were selected for their spatial representativeness and suitability
for the applications in climate research involving global climate models
and/or satellite-derived related data sets.
Surface Radiation Network (SURFRAD)
SOLRAD Sites:
The NOAA SOLRAD network monitors surface radiation in the continental United States, in collaboration
with NOAA's SURFRAD Network.
The SOLRAD stations Oak Ridge (ORT) and Tallahassee (TLH) closed on June 8, 2007 and Oct 30, 2002, respectively.
SOLRAD network
Spectral UV Irradiance Sites:
Spectral UV measurements are made at two networks in the United States and Antarctica.
The NOAA/EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer Network in the United States provides daily Ultra-Violet
(UV) Radiation and Total-Column Ozone measurements. Many Brewer instruments are co-located at NOAA
SURFRAD stations equipped with SURFRAD instrumentation and Total Sky Imagers.
The Antarctic UV network provides data to researchers studying the effects of ozone depletion on
terrestrial and marine biological systems, ozone hole monitoring, validation of
satellite observations, and verification of atmospheric radiation transfer models.
NOAA-EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer UV and Ozone Network
NOAA Antarctic UV Monitoring Network
Aerosol Baseline Observatory
Aerosol measurements began at the GML baseline observatories in the mid-1970's.
Baseline measurements provide information about long-term changes in background aerosol properties. These sites are remote from aerosol sources and typically represent clean background air; although, occasionally, they may be impacted by long-range transport.
NOAA Federated Aerosol Network
Aerosol Mobile and Cooperative Platforms
The NOAA Federated Aerosol Network (FAN) is a long-term cooperative program with shared data access, making atmospheric aerosol measurements that are directly comparable with all the other FAN stations. FAN collaborators contribute scientific interest, instruments, on-site technicians, long-term station costs, and operations support, while NOAA contributes software for data acquisition and processing, as well as technical expertise
The cooperative nature of the FAN allows for collection of consistent datasets for evaluating regionally representative aerosol climatologies, trends, and radiative forcing at 30 sites around the world.
NOAA Federated Aerosol Network
Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Global Monitoring Laboratory
GRAD Observation Networks
Yellow markers indicate discontinued sites
GML Baseline Observatories:
Surface downwelling solar radiation measurements
at the four original GML baseline observatories began when each of the
observatories was founded. Subsequently, additional measurement of thermal
longwave, upwelling irradiances, and aerosol optical depth were added at
these sites. The Trinidad Head site was established later. The intent of these measurements
was to maintain long-term records of surface radiation budget components
at globally remote sites and to support the other GML research programs
being conducted at these sites. Two of these sites (Barrow and South Pole) also contribute
to the BSRN program as described below.
GML Baseline Network
GML BSRN only sites
The GRAD group maintains additional sites
that are contributers to the World Climate Research Programs (WCRP) Baseline
Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). The BSRN sites, including Barrow and South Pole
were selected for the site's spatial representativeness and suitability
for the applications in climate research involving global climate models
and/or satellite-derived related data sets.
Bermuda and Kwajalein are
funded by NASA HQ Radiation Sciences.
Baseline Surface Radiation Network
SURFRAD Sites:
The GRAD group maintains seven radiation budget
stations in the continental U.S. comprising the Surface Radiation (SURFRAD) Network.
SURFRAD is a component of the World Climate Research Programs (WCRP) Baseline
Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). The SURFRAD sites
were selected for their spatial representativeness and suitability
for the applications in climate research involving global climate models
and/or satellite-derived related data sets.
Surface Radiation Network (SURFRAD)
SOLRAD Sites:
The NOAA SOLRAD network monitors surface radiation in the continental United States, in collaboration
with NOAA's SURFRAD Network.
The SOLRAD stations Oak Ridge (ORT) and Tallahassee (TLH) closed on June 8, 2007 and Oct 30, 2002, respectively.
SOLRAD network
Spectral UV Irradiance Sites:
Spectral UV measurements are made at two networks in the United States and Antarctica.
The NOAA/EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer Network in the United States provides daily Ultra-Violet
(UV) Radiation and Total-Column Ozone measurements. Many Brewer instruments are co-located at NOAA
SURFRAD stations equipped with SURFRAD instrumentation and Total Sky Imagers.
The Antarctic UV network provides data to researchers studying the effects of ozone depletion on
terrestrial and marine biological systems, ozone hole monitoring, validation of
satellite observations, and verification of atmospheric radiation transfer models.
NOAA-EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer UV and Ozone Network
NOAA Antarctic UV Monitoring Network
Aerosol Baseline Observatory
Aerosol measurements began at the GML baseline observatories in the mid-1970's.
Baseline measurements provide information about long-term changes in background aerosol properties. These sites are remote from aerosol sources and typically represent clean background air; although, occasionally, they may be impacted by long-range transport.
NOAA Federated Aerosol Network
Aerosol Mobile and Cooperative Platforms
The NOAA Federated Aerosol Network (FAN) is a long-term cooperative program with shared data access, making atmospheric aerosol measurements that are directly comparable with all the other FAN stations. FAN collaborators contribute scientific interest, instruments, on-site technicians, long-term station costs, and operations support, while NOAA contributes software for data acquisition and processing, as well as technical expertise
The cooperative nature of the FAN allows for collection of consistent datasets for evaluating regionally representative aerosol climatologies, trends, and radiative forcing at 30 sites around the world.
NOAA Federated Aerosol Network