Index of Refraction of Atmosphere for Radio Waves

Theorem

The index of refraction of the atmosphere of Earth for radio waves of frequency less than $3 \times 10^{10} \, \mathrm {Hz}$ is given by:

$\paren {n - 1} 10^6 = \dfrac {77 \cdotp 6} t \paren {p + \dfrac {4810 e} t}$

where:

$n$ denotes the index of refraction of the atmosphere

$t$ denotes the temperature in kelvin

$p$ denotes the total atmospheric pressure in millibars

$e$ denotes the water vapor partial pressure in millibars.

Sources

• 1964: Milton Abramowitz and Irene A. Stegun: Handbook of Mathematical Functions ... (previous) ... (next): $2$. Physical Constants and Conversion Factors: Table $2.4$ Miscellaneous Conversion Factors