How to become a BSRN station

Additional BSRN sites are desired if certain criteria can be fulfilled on a site-by-site basis. It was originally thought that about 20 sites would be sufficient for this network. But even with the number of sites currently operational (>50), it has become obvious that additional coverage is needed. Sites are especially needed in oceanic environments, deserts, high altitudes, or climatic zones not covered by existing operational sites. BSRN sites have several basic requirements. Most important is the long-term involvement by an expert in surface radiation measurement who can perpetuate the measurements and participate in the activities of BSRN intended not only to carry out the measurements, but also to improve fundamental measurement capabilities. The measurement site should be representative of a relatively large surrounding area. While homogeneity of the surrounding area is beneficial, it is recognized that many regions of the Earth are not homogeneous, and representative sites are needed there also. The site must allow reasonable access for routine and frequent inspections and instrument service to ensure data quality. Participants are expected to readily provide acquired data to the central archive in a Opens internal link in new windowspecified format and in a timely manner. It is highly desirable that the measurement site is collocated with routine upper-air soundings and basic meteorological instrumentation and that these ancillary data are also supplied to the World Radiation Monitoring Center. BSRN provides an opportunity to participate in the World Climate Research Program and to be associated with the world's experts in surface radiation measurement technology. The data from the BSRN program are being used in global satellite and climate modeling research efforts and are designed to foster the development of international cooperation. BSRN is not only advancing the fundamentals of surface radiation capabilities, but is also demonstrating the feasibility and usefulness of long-term, globally and climatically distributed surface radiation measurements. Participation in the BSRN is best accomplished through the WMO representative of your home country. You should contact the BSRN project manager for additional information. Participation is strictly voluntary and no funds are available from the BSRN or other associated organizations for establishing or maintaining the BSRN measurement activity. Many existing sites are funded through the participating country's space or climate research programs. Other programs are part of the national radiation programs. In April 2017, an overview document was created which can be found at: hdl:10013/epic.50682.d001. For further information please have a look into:
McArthur L.J.B. 2005
Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). Operations Manual.
WMO/TD-No. 879, WCRP/WMO. König-Langlo, G. , Sieger, R. , Schmithüsen, H. , Bücker, A. , Richter, F. and Dutton E.G. 2013:
The Baseline Surface Radiation Network and its World Radiation Monitoring Centre at the Alfred Wegener Institute. www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-174.pdf.
GCOS 174, WCRP 24/2013.