how is visibility measured
A visibility sensor measures how far we can see and recognize objects in the air. Things like fog, dust, smoke, or water droplets can change this distance. People usually measure visibility in meters (m). Here are some common ways to measure visibility and the tools used for this:
visual range Method:
The measurement of meteorology visibility occurs at the horizontal distance from the ground. This is where a person with normal eyesight can see the outline of an object in the current weather. Manual observation is still a common way to check horizontal visibility in some places, like weather stations and airports. Staff measure visibility by looking at distant objects without any tools.
Atmospheric Transmissometer:
This device measures how much light passes through the atmosphere. It is used to check reduced visibility. It sends and receives an infrared beam. Then, it uses this data to calculate visibility.
Automatic Laser Visibility Meter:
This device checks visibility with laser scattering. It sends out a laser beam to measure how clear it is. It looks at how much light is absorbed when it comes back.
Visibility Sensor:
These sensors are often used to check visibility. They measure how light scatters and absorbs. This helps find out how many particles are in the air close.
These sensors often use a laser or infrared light. They have a photodetector that notices changes in light intensity.
LIDAR:
This technology helps measure the amount and spread of airborne particles. It sends out laser pulses and times how long they take to return.
This process helps measure visibility. People often use LIDAR for long-range and accurate checks. This is important for airport weather monitoring.
Visibility meter:
A visibility meter is a tool that measures how far we can see. It uses optical methods to find the farthest distance visible to the human eye. Researchers often use this tool for weather observations and vehicle navigation systems.
You can pick these techniques and tools based on what you need. Some methods need special tools and training for accurate measurements.
In real life, picking the right tools to measure visibility is important. This helps you get accurate and reliable results. The information here is for reference only. If needed, we suggest talking to professional and technical experts.
