Improved surface parameter retrievals using AIRS/AMSU data

Joel Susskind; John Blaisdell

doi:10.1117/12.774759

5 May 2008 Improved surface parameter retrievals using AIRS/AMSU data

Joel Susskind, John Blaisdell

Proceedings Volume 6966, Algorithms and Technologies for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery XIV; 696610 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.774759
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The AIRS Science Team Version 5.0 retrieval algorithm became operational at the Goddard DAAC in July 2007 generating near real-time products from analysis of AIRS/AMSU sounding data. This algorithm contains many significant theoretical advances over the AIRS Science Team Version 4.0 retrieval algorithm used previously. Two very significant developments of Version 5 are: 1) the development and implementation of an improved Radiative Transfer Algorithm (RTA) which allows for accurate treatment of non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (non-LTE) effects on shortwave sounding channels; and 2) the development of methodology to obtain very accurate case by case product error estimates which are in turn used for quality control. These theoretical improvements taken together enabled a new methodology to be developed which further improves soundings in partially cloudy conditions. In this methodology, longwave CO2 channel observations in the spectral region 700 cm^-1 to 750 cm^-1 are used exclusively for cloud clearing purposes, while shortwave CO₂ channels in the spectral region 2195 cm^-1 to 2395 cm^-1 are used for temperature sounding purposes. This allows for accurate temperature soundings under more difficult cloud conditions. This paper further improves on the methodology used in Version 5 to derive surface skin temperature and surface spectral emissivity from AIRS/AMSU observations. Now, following the approach used to improve tropospheric temperature profiles, surface skin temperature is also derived using only shortwave window channels. This produces improved surface parameters, both day and night, compared to what was obtained in Version 5. These in turn result in improved boundary layer temperatures and retrieved total O₃ burden.

Citation Download Citation

Joel Susskind and John Blaisdell "Improved surface parameter retrievals using AIRS/AMSU data", Proc. SPIE 6966, Algorithms and Technologies for Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Imagery XIV, 696610 (5 May 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.774759

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available