
A solarimeter is a
pyranometer A pyranometer is a type of actinometer used for measuring solar irradiance on a planar surface and it is designed to measure the solar radiation flux density (W/m2) from the hemisphere above within a wavelength range 0.3 μm to 3 μm. The name pyran ...
, a type of
measuring
Measurement is the quantification of attributes of an object or event, which can be used to compare with other objects or events.
In other words, measurement is a process of determining how large or small a physical quantity is as compared ...
device used to measure combined direct and diffuse
solar radiation
Solar irradiance is the power per unit area ( surface power density) received from the Sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of the measuring instrument.
Solar irradiance is measured in watts per square metre ...
. An integrating solarimeter measures energy developed from solar
radiation
In physics, radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or through a material medium. This includes:
* ''electromagnetic radiation'', such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, vi ...
based on the absorption of heat by a
black body
A black body or blackbody is an idealized physical object, physical body that absorption (electromagnetic radiation), absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless of frequency or angle of incidence (optics), angle of incidence. T ...
. The principle this instrument was designed on was first developed by the Italian priest, Father
Angelo Bellani Angelo Bellani (1776 - 1852) was an Italian priest who also took an interest in physics and is best known for his work in the measurement of temperature and humidity using instruments and his inventions included a temperature recording thermograph. ...
. He invented the
actinometric method which is based on physical and chemical techniques.
References
{{Meteorological equipment
Meteorological instrumentation and equipment