Multistream and Monte Carlo Calculations of the Sun's Aureole

Abstract
The scattered UV intensifies in the sun's aureole are calculated using both a multi-stream scattering method and a Monte Carlo approach. Angular distributions for both Rayleigh and aerosol scatterings are obtained with a realistic atmospheric model. Moderate- and sharply-forward-peaked phase functions of aerosol scattering, corresponding to realistic analytic size distributions, are incorporated. Results from the two independent calculations are in reasonable agreement for a realistic atmospheric model. The results indicate that the scattered UV intensity in the sun's aureole is about four orders smaller than the transmitted intensity while the scattered intensity for pure Rayleigh scattering is only 10-6-10-5 times that of the transmitted sun. Based on these intensity ratios, we estimate that the integrated scattered contributions from the aureole to a well-collimated sun photometer of acceptance aperture 2°–3° are ≲1% of the direct contribution.