Improved surface and tropospheric temperatures determined using only shortwave channels: the AIRS Science Team Version-6 retrieval algorithm

Joel Susskind; John Blaisdell; Lena Iredell

doi:10.1117/12.893558

13 September 2011 Improved surface and tropospheric temperatures determined using only shortwave channels: the AIRS Science Team Version-6 retrieval algorithm

Joel Susskind, John Blaisdell, Lena Iredell

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8153, Earth Observing Systems XVI; 815306 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893558
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Goddard DISC has generated products derived from AIRS/AMSU-A observations, starting from September 2002 when the AIRS instrument became stable, using the AIRS Science Team Version-5 retrieval algorithm. The AIRS Science Team Version-6 retrieval algorithm will be finalized in September 2011. This paper describes some of the significant improvements contained in the Version-6 retrieval algorithm, compared to that used in Version-5, with an emphasis on the improvement of atmospheric temperature profiles, ocean and land surface skin temperatures, and ocean and land surface spectral emissivities. AIRS contains 2378 spectral channels covering portions of the spectral region 650 cm^-1 (15.38 μm) - 2665 cm^-1(3.752 μm). These spectral regions contain significant absorption features from two CO₂ absorption bands, the 15 μm (longwave) CO₂ band, and the 4.3 μm (shortwave) CO₂ absorption band. There are also two atmospheric window regions, the 12 μm - 8 μm (longwave) window, and the 4.17 μm - 3.75 μm (shortwave) window. Historically, determination of surface and atmospheric temperatures from satellite observations was performed using primarily observations in the longwave window and CO₂ absorption regions. According to cloud clearing theory, more accurate soundings of both surface skin and atmospheric temperatures can be obtained under partial cloud cover conditions if one uses observations in longwave channels to determine coefficients which generate cloud cleared radiances R_i for all channels, and uses R_i only from shortwave channels in the determination of surface and atmospheric temperatures. This procedure is now being used in the AIRS Version-6 Retrieval Algorithm. Results are presented for both daytime and nighttime conditions showing improved Version-6 surface and atmospheric soundings under partial cloud cover.

Citation Download Citation

Joel Susskind, John Blaisdell, and Lena Iredell "Improved surface and tropospheric temperatures determined using only shortwave channels: the AIRS Science Team Version-6 retrieval algorithm", Proc. SPIE 8153, Earth Observing Systems XVI, 815306 (13 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893558

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