What is this simulator?

The I3RC online simulator of 3D radiative transfer is a free web-based tool that

• makes it easy to do simple 3D (three-dimensional) simulations of sunlight moving through the atmosphere, for example in exploring new ideas or doing class projects
• considers the scattering and absorption of sunlight by clouds and the underlying surface, as well as scattering by air molecules and atmospheric aerosols
• performs simulations at selected ultraviolet, visible, or infrared wavelengths
• can calculate the amount of scattered sunlight a spaceborne, airborne, or ground-based instrument would observe when it looks in a specified direction at a specific location
• can also calculate what fraction of the incoming sunlight is reflected back to space, is absorbed in the atmosphere (by clouds), reaches the surface, and gets absorbed by the surface

Terms of usage

The simulator should be acknowledged in publications that include its results.

Users shoud let us know of any publications that use simulation results by sending an email to Tamás Várnai (varnai@umbc.edu).

Users may not redistribute their login information to anyone.

Users are not allowed to use automated methods to run simulations via the web interface.

We do not guarantee the accuracy of simulation results, and are not liable for any damages that may result from using this website.

No support, consulting, training, or assistance is guaranteed.

User accounts may be terminated anytime at our discretion.

Privacy policy

We do not use cookies.

User data is used only for providing and improving our services.

We do not share with third parties any information about individual users.

We may publish anonymous statistics on the usage of the simulator.

About us

I3RC

This online simulator was created under the auspices of the I3RC (Intercomparison of 3-dimensional Radiation Codes) project.

I3RC was initiated by Robert Cahalan in the mid 1990s, with funding from the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program and the NASA Radiation Sciences Program, and with endorsements from the International Radiation Commission and the GEWEX project.

Its goals include:

• Evaluate methods for 3D simulations of atmospheric radiative processes (with focus on solar radiation)
• Provide benchmark results for testing 3D radiation codes
• Provide resources and tools, including a community model and publication list

Our team

This online simulator was created by Tamás Várnai and Alexander Marshak, with help/encouragement/support from (in ABC order): Robert Cahalan, Tim Champ, Belay Demoz, Damian Doyle, Don Engel, Carynelisa Haspel, Jay Herman, Lazaros Oreopoulos, John Riddle, Najda Villefranque, Zhibo Zhang.

It was made possible by help from the UMBC Division of Information Technology, the NASA Climate and Radiation Laboratory, and the Joint Center for Earth System Technology.

The earlier version of the online simulator was created by Stefani Huang, Tamás Várnai, and Alexander Marshak.

Contact

To contact us, please send an email to Tamás Várnai (varnai@umbc.edu).

Copyright

Copyright for the entire website: Tamás Várnai (varnai@umbc.edu)

Background photo: Clouds over Florida, by Tamás Várnai