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Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos (PMOD WRC)
Identification
Hosting Legal Entity
Swiss Research Institute for High Altitude Climate and Medicine
Location
Dorfstrasse 33, Physikalisch-Meteorologische Observatorium Davos/Word Radiation Center, Davos Dorf, PO: 7260 (Switzerland)
Structure
Type Of RI
Single-sited
Coordinating Country
Switzerland
Status
Status
Current Status:
Operational since 1907
Scientific Description
The Physikalisch Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos (PMOD) has been studying the influence of solar radiation on the Earth’s climate. In 1926, the Observatory joined the Swiss Research Institute for High Altitude Climate and Medicine Davos and has since become part of this foundation. At the request of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Federal Council decided in 1970 to finance a calibration center for radiation measurement as Switzerland’s contribution to the World Weather Monitoring Program of the WMO. Following this decision, the PMOD was commissioned to establish and operate the World Radiation Center (WRC)The World Radiation Center maintains the primary standard for solar irradiance consisting of a group of high-precision absolute radiometers. In response to further inquiries from the WMO, a calibration center for atmospheric longwave radiation measuring instruments was established in 2004, and in 2008 the calibration center for spectral radiance measurements to determine atmospheric turbidity. Since 2013, the European UV calibration center has also been operated by the World Radiation Center.The PMOD/WRC develops and builds radiometers that are among the most accurate of their kind in the world and are used both on the ground and in space. These instruments are also available for purchase and have long been used by Meteorological Services worldwide. In addition, a global network of atmospheric turbidity monitoring stations is equipped with precision filter radiometers developed by PMOD/WRC.Data collected in space and by means of ground measurements are analyzed in research projects on climate change and solar physics. This research activity is integrated into national (in particular with ETH Zurich) and international projects.

RI Keywords
Comprehensive atmospheric observations, Calibration, Radiometric profiles, Solar radiation
Classifications
RI Category
Atmospheric Measurement Facilities
Scientific Domain
Engineering and Energy
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics and Mathematics
ESFRI Domain
Environment
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Services
Radiation Instrument Callibration

Calibration of radiometers at the PMOD/WRC is performed on the roof platform or in our laboratories.

Access to Datasets

The PMOD/WRC has conducted research for several decades in the fields of solar physics and solar irradiance monitoring, amongst others. Various datasets are described and made available for further scientific research, including: Satellite data, Solar Spectrum data, etc.

Access to Radiation Instruments

Radiation instruments can be divided into four different categories: Shortwave radiometers, longwave radiometers, spectral radiometers and ultra-violet radiometers. Several products are also available for sale.

Equipment
Radiometers

Wide-ranging experience in the measurement of solar radiation relies on the development of PMOD/WRC instruments, in which the PMOD/WRC has a long history. Various instruments are of interest to partner institutions mainly in the meteorology and metrology communities. Instruments such as the Absolute Radiometer PMO6-cc or the Precision Filter Radiometer (PFR) are well-known and are in operation throughout the whole world, while the Precision Spectroradiometer (PSR) is latest development at PMOD/WRC. Due to the available infrastructure, PMOD/WRC is able to develop, design and manufacture instruments in-house, although not in large quantities. The focus is on providing reliable instruments with high accuracy and long-term stability. Together with the PMOD/WRC calibration capabilities, PMOD/WRC instruments allow high quality and traceable radiation measurements. In addition, PMOD/WRC offers several useful accessories to operate its own or third-party instruments.

Date of last update: 23/10/2018
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