Comparison of TSI from SORCE TIM with SFO Ground-Based Photometry

Total solar irradiance (TSI) measurements have been available from the TIM instrument on the SORCE spacecraft since 2003. We compare TSI data, both 24-h and 6-h averages, with photometric indices from red and K-line images obtained on a daily basis at the San Fernando Observatory (SFO). For 1253 days of data from 2 March 2003 to 5 May 2010 we compare the data in linear multiple regression analyses. The best results come from using two photometric indices, the red and K-line photometric sums, and SORCE TSI 6-h averages interpolated to the SFO time of observation. For this case, we obtain a coefficient of multiple determination, R2, of 0.9495 and a quiet-Sun irradiance S0 = 1360.810 ± 0.004 W m−2. These results provide further support for the hypothesis that the quiet Sun is constant over time.