Physikalisch-Meteorologisches
Observatorium Davos
The "Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos" (PMOD) was founded
in 1907 by Carl Dorno as a privately operated institute with the objective
of finding out why tuberculosis patients were curing better in Davos than elsewhere.
The most obvious climatic difference of an alpine station compared
with one at lower elevations, e.g. the Baltic sea shore where Dorno originated
from, is obviously the radiation environment: the direct solar radiation
is much more intense whereas the sky radiance of the dark-blue sky is of
lower intensity. With this in mind, Dorno began operational measurements
of the direct solar irradiance in 1909, initiating the world's longest and still
continuing time series of this kind. In addition, he began investigating
the biological influences of ultra-violet radiation - then known as Dorno Radiation,
and today as UV-B. With his world famous solar and UV radiation measurements
he set the corner-stone of the PMOD which has continued his work as an
internationally recognized center for research in radiation measurements
and instrumentation. Since 1926, PMOD has been part of the SFI private foundation
("Schweizerisches Forschungsinstitut für Hochgebirgsklima und Medizin")
.
In 1971, the PMOD was designated by the
World
Meteorological Organization (WMO, Geneva) to serve as a
World
Radiation Center (
WRC). The Swiss government
offered the WMO to operate the WRC as a contribution to the World Weather Watch Program
(
WWW )
A further service was added in 1996 with the operation of the
World
Optical depth Research and Calibration Center (
WORCC),
a Swiss contribution to the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch program with the following
terms of reference:
-
Develop accurate radiometric references for spectral solar radiometry used
to determine optical depth (as in the case of the World Radiometric Reference
for total solar irradiance radiometry);
-
Develop procedures to ensure world-wide homogeneity of optical depth measurements
by e.g. providing transfer standards for precision filter radiometry (formerly
called sunphotometry);
-
Develop and test new instrumentation and methods for the determination
of optical depth;
-
Implement a trial phase of Precision Filter Radiometers (PFR) at GAW GLOBAL
OBSERVATORIES to test methods for optical depth determination
and calibration transfer;
-
Develop relevant quality control procedures in cooperation with GAW
Quality Assurance/Science Activity Centers;
-
Training of staff to operate Precision Filter Radiometers.
Research Activities
-
Development of instruments and calibration procedures for absolute total
and spectral solar and long-wave radiometry;
-
Investigation of the solar total irradiance, its spectral distribution
and variability for global climate research, solar physics and helioseismology
(VIRGO Experiment);
- Investigation of radiation in the atmosphere and at the ground to
determine its spectral distribution and variability in the UV,
for diagnostics of the atmospheric composition and aerosol content as well
as to determine the surface radiation budget within the ASRB
program.
The
staff at PMOD/WRC is made up of 4
physicists, 2 electronic engineers, 1 software engineer, 2 physics technicians,
1 mechanic, 3 Ph.D. students, 2 electronics apprentices, 2 civilian-workers and 1 secretary
Funding:
The Swiss government offered the WMO to operate the WRC as a contribution
to the World Weather Watch program (
WWW
). The PMOD is therefore funded by the Swiss government to provide this service
to the world-wide meteorological community and other parties interested
in solar radiation measurements. This is an efficient way to operate such
a facility for both the Swiss Government and the SFI. The Canton of
Graubünden and the Borough of Davos were included in this arrangement and
the details are set out in a contract. Contributions for specific projects
come from the
Swiss National Science Foundation,
ETHZ and cooperations with other government
agencies. The annual budget of about SFr.1'900'000.- is at present covered
by the Federal Government (WRC & WORCC) with a 48% contribution, the Canton Government
at 7%, the Borough of Davos at 16%, the SFI at 8% and project funding at 21%.
