Transmissometer

Transmissometer is a device used to measure the transmittance or the amount of light that passes through a medium. It is commonly used in meteorology, oceanography, and aviation to determine the visibility in the atmosphere or underwater.

Overview[edit | edit source]

A transmissometer works by emitting a beam of light and measuring the intensity of the light received after it has passed through a certain distance in the medium. The ratio of the received light intensity to the emitted light intensity gives the transmittance, which can be used to calculate the extinction coefficient, a measure of the medium's clarity.

Types of Transmissometers[edit | edit source]

There are several types of transmissometers, including:

Visible Light Transmissometers: These devices use visible light and are often used in meteorology to measure atmospheric visibility.

Infrared Transmissometers: These devices use infrared light and are commonly used in aviation to measure runway visual range (RVR).

Underwater Transmissometers: These devices are used in oceanography to measure the clarity of water.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Transmissometers have a wide range of applications, including:

Meteorology: Transmissometers are used to measure the visibility in the atmosphere, which is crucial for weather forecasting.

Aviation: In aviation, transmissometers are used to measure the runway visual range (RVR), which is the distance over which a pilot can see the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the runway or identifying its centre line.

Oceanography: In oceanography, transmissometers are used to measure the clarity of water, which can provide information about the presence of particles and other substances in the water.