The calibration of Cimel sunphotometers for the 2026/2027 season is officially underway at the Lulin Calibration Platform, running from October 2026 through February 2027. Marking a major milestone for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) network, this season represents the first official full calibration, successfully transitioning from the test calibrations conducted in previous years.
Over the course of the season, a total of 15 instruments will undergo calibration. Along with the sites mantained directly mantained by APAC and the partners inside Taiwan, the instruments from the regional partners will also be calibrated. The participating regional partners include two sites from the Philippines, two from Vietnam, and one from Japan.
To ensure the highest standard of data quality, the comprehensive calibration process will cover both direct sun measurement calibration and direct transfer calibration of radiation (radiance) calibration.
Consistent with standard protocol, these critical direct sun calibrations are conducted at Lulin—a remote background site strategically selected to minimize the influence of urban emissions and ensure high-precision baseline readings. During the process, measurements from the incoming field instruments are rigorously compared against a calibration master to verify and restore optimal accuracy. The Lulin platform is equipped to calibrate up to six instruments simultaneously, allowing the 15 units to be cycled through efficiently over the five-month period.
Leave a Reply