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Willson 1978
Willson, R.C. (1978). Accurate solar ’constant’ determinations by cavity pyrheliometers. Journal of Geophysical Research 83: doi: 10.1029/JC083iC08p04003. issn: 0148-0227.

Total solar irradiance was observed outside the earth's atmosphere by three types of absolute cavity pyrheliometer in a June 1976 sounding rocket experiment. The 1367 W/m2 average solar 'constant' result is uncertain by less than ¿0.5%, the most accurate determination to date. Nearly simultaneous observations by the Nimbus 6 earth radiation budget total irradiance detector of 1389 W/m2 exceeded the rocket result by 1.6%. These recent results are discussed in the context of a summary of solar constant determinations made above the troposphere by cavity pyrheliometers.

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Journal of Geophysical Research
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