Top: Regional: Oceania: Australia: Weather and Climate: UV Monitoring


[ history ]

Overview

The Australian Radiation Laboratory has been measuring spectral UV radiation sporadically since 1984. The first radiometer started monitoring in Melbourne in 1986. Short term detection of ozone holes passing over southern Australian is readily seen in the data. The purpose of Antarctic monitoring is to understand the UV levels reaching researchers working in Antarctica.
The primary interest in these levels concerns human health effects. The measurements are used to support the cancer council's education program. The data are also released daily on news and weather reports to inform the public.
In conjunction with the UV monitoring efforts, Australia has developed a standard for rating the UV protective ability of clothing. All sunglasses sold in Australia must meet the Australian standards.

As of mid-1995, 10 Solar Light 501 biometers were being intercompared and calibrated. They were slated to be installed in the field around Nov. 1995. Capital cities were to be first to be fitted with these meters. 6 more Solar Light 501 biometers were planned for implementation at the beginning of 1996.
Paltridge and Ian Barton at CSIRO had a network of RB meters running in the 1970's.


[ history ]

Instruments

Melbourne instruments, with installation dates:

  • Eppley PSP Mar 86
  • Eppley TUV Mar 86
  • International Light UVB Mar 86
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) Mar 89
  • Spex 1680B (double monochromator) with labsphere integrated sphere takes measurements on clear days and identical Spex 1680B is portable to go to instrument intercomparisons and acts as a traveling standard. Mar 86
  • Solar Light 501 Dec 92

    Brisbane instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley PSP 1989
  • Eppley TUV 1989
  • International Light UVB 1989
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989

    Mackay instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley PSP 1989
  • Eppley TUV 1989
  • International Light UVB 1989
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989

    Toowoomba instruments, with installation dates:
  • International Light UVB 1989 (no longer active?
  • Solar Light Erythemal UV Biometer
  • Solar Light UVA Biometer

    Sydney instruments, with installation dates:
  • International Light UVB 1990
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1990

    Perth instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1990
  • International Light UVB 1990
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1990

    Darwin instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley PSP 1990
  • Eppley TUV 1990
  • International Light UVB 1990
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1990

    Alice Springs instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley PSP 1990?
  • Eppley TUV 1990?
  • International Light UVB 1990?
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1990?

    Geraldton instruments, with installation dates:
  • International Light UVB 1989-92
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989-92

    Adelaide instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1993
  • International Light UVB 1993
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1993

    Canberra instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1993
  • International Light UVB 1993
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1993

    Hobart instruments, with installation dates:
  • International Light UVB 1990

    Townsville instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1993
  • International Light UVB 1993
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1993

    Mawson instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1989
  • International Light UVB 1989
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989

    Casey instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1989
  • International Light UVB 1989
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989

    Davis instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1989
  • International Light UVB 1989
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989
  • Spex 1680B (double monochromator 1989

    Macquarie Island instruments, with installation dates:
  • Eppley TUV 1989
  • International Light UVB 1989
  • International Light Actinic NS270 (ACGIH) 1989

  • [ history ]

    Contact Information

    Dr. Peter Gies
    Australian Radiation Laboratory
    Lower Plenty Road
    Yallambie, Victoria 3085
    AUSTRALIA

    Dr. Colin Roy
    Australian Radiation Laboratory
    Lower Plenty Road
    Yallambie, Victoria 3085
    AUSTRALIA
    (Colin Roy is in charge of all of the meters. They are run in cooperation with the individual organizations which maintain the instruments. Ten minute averages are collected throughout the daylight hours (5 AM to 9 PM) except in the antarctic where collection runs throughout the day.)

    Dr. Alfio Parisi
    Centre for Astronomy and Atmospheric Research
    University of Southern Queensland
    Toowoomba 4350 Australia



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