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Detection of clouds and retrieval of their properties (top and bottom altitude, optical thickness) with satellite-based spectrometers needs the solution of radiative transfer in the atmosphere. Depending on the application needed for and instrument capabilities, a trade-off choice has to be made between accuracy and speed. This study aims to characterise the range of applicability of analytical asymptotic equations to real scenarios. It has been found that the errors, introduced with approximate parameterisations, are within reasonable ranges both in absolute and relative values.