2.

5 A PLACTICAL CHECKLIST FOR RADIATIVE

TRANSFER CALCULATIONS
• SELECT

✅ specifying the appropriate form of the radiative transfer equation

✅ checking that the assumptions made are plausible

✅ selecting the numerical method

• CALCULATE

✅ setting up a model atmosphere with a nite number of discrete layers, each with its own
temperature, pressure and column mass

✅ calculating the uxes passing through each layer

• OBTAIN

✅ deciding upon the chemical composition of the atmosphere being investigate

✅ obtaining the opacities of the atoms, molecules and aerosols or condensates involved, typically from
pre-computed tables

• ITERATE

✅ numerically iterating to obtain a converged solution

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