The significant impact of shape deviations of atmospheric aerosols on light monitoring networks

ABSTRACT Aerosol particles are important modulators of night sky brightness (NSB) due to their manifold impacts on spectral and angular properties scattered light. The majority radiative transfer models currently in use based rigorous Mie theory for spherical homogeneous particles. This fundamental concept enables significant simplifications theoretical formulae numerical modelling. However, as known from many studies, shapes rare both natural anthropogenic aerosols. Therefore, the aim this paper is analyse potential magnitude subsequent effect skyglow modelling assuming that aerosol different aspect ratios. zero-order approximation tackle problem characterize non-sphericity by ratio largest smallest size an ellipsoidal particle. We T-matrix formalism perform light scattering calculations spheroidal arbitrary size, composition, orientation respect incident Results indicate particle-shape impact NSB can be leading positive negative amplitudes around zenith. In most extreme case, increase up 70 per cent zenithal luminance was displayed. As a consequence, especially monitoring devices like quality meter, usually measuring zenith, particularly influenced effect. summary, underlines importance treating non-spherical aerosols also significance including atmospheric parameters analyses networks.