Atmosphere fundamentals

2In Chapter 1, Section 1.1 illuminates the structure and the main parameters of the atmosphere, as an inhomogeneous gaseous structure, and the main parameters that describe the physical properties of the atmosphere are briefly introduced. In Section 1.2 we introduce the reader to the content of the atmosphere, where in Section 1.2.1 such atmospheric structures as aerosols are presented and we briefly discuss their dimensions, concentration, and altitude localization. A brief description of the spatial distribution of aerosol’s sizes and their spectral extinction are also presented in the chapter. Section 1.2.2 briefly reflects the existence of various water and ice particles in the inhomogeneous atmosphere, called hydrometeors, fog, rain, and clouds, their spatial and altitudinal distribution, size distribution, and their effects on optical wave propagation. Section 1.2.3 illuminates the atmospheric turbulent structures caused by the temperature and humidity fluctuations combined with turbulent mixing by wind and convection-induced random changes in the air density of the atmosphere as an irregular gaseous medium. The cascade theory of turbulence energy dissipation, called Kolmogorov’s theory, is briefly discussed in the chapter and the main parameters of the turbulent eddies are introduced to describe the process of turbulence energy dissipation. Finally, the main characteristic functions and parameters of the atmospheric turbulences will be introduced.