Model for infrared emission of water vapor/aerosol mixtures.

An equation modeling ir aerosol emission is presented with experimental data and spectra of low temperature steam from laboratory radiometric measurements. The equation, for the 8-13-micro ir continuum, predicts emissions for traces of liquid water aerosol comparable to those from Elsasser's equation attributed to water vapor. Several curves compare water absorptivity coefficients in the liquid and vapor phases and as applied to atmospheric measurements at the 10.6-micro CO(2) laser wavelength. Results indicate that water aerosols can account for major changes in radiance, even through apparently clear atmospheres. Ice crystals, by implication, represent another fertile field for study as absorbers and emitters.