Some problems of anisotropic scattering in planetary atmospheres

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Abstract
The similarity rules to compare atmospheres with anisotropic and isotropic scattering are reviewed. Omission of a narrow diffraction peak in the scattering pattern is permitted and corresponds to a special application of the similarity rules. It is shown that the extrapolation length for conservative scattering can be found with great precision from a formula involving only ω2 and ω3. An asymptotic expression for high-order scattering in a semi-infinite atmosphere is given and it is shown by some examples that this expression can be used to find by interpolation the terms of any order. Finally, the way in which the contrast between a dark and bright area near the center of the disk of Mars is affected by an overlying haze is computed for isotropic and for anisotropic scattering.