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Ellis, J. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Ellis, J. S..

Constructing a coherent long-term global total ozone climatology from the BUV, MFR, and SBUV/TOMS data sets

Multichannel Filter Radiometer (MFR) data are intercompared with Solar Backscattered Ultraviolet (SBUV) and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data during a five-month period of their data overlap in order to determine the usefulness of MFR data to represent the SBUV/TOMS and backscatter ultraviolet spectrometer data during their data gap period. Total ozone differences found were latitudinally and monthly dependent. Average differences between the TOMS and the MFR ozone data vary from -12.4 to +13.3 percent, with differences in the tropical to middle latitudes generally between + or - 4 percent. Biases between the data sets can be removed for certain latitude zones by applying an appropriate algorithm to the MFR ozone data.

Ellis, J. S.↗

Correlative studies of satellite ozone sensor measurements

Comparisons are made between total ozone measurements made by four satellite ozone sensors (TOMS, SBUV, TOVS and MFR). The comparisons were made during July 1979 when all sensors were operating simultaneously. The TOMS and SBUV sensors were observed to measure less total ozone than the MFR sensor, 10 and 15 Dobson units (DU) respectively. The MFR and TOMS sensors measured less ozone than the TOVS sensor, 19 and 28 DU, respectively. Latitudinal variability of the total ozone comparisons is discussed.

Lovill, J. E.↗

The DMSP/MFR total ozone and radiance data base

This report describes the entries in sufficient detail so that the data base might be useful to others. The characteristics of the MFR sensor are briefly discussed and a complete index to the data base tapes is given.

Ellis, J. S.↗

Defense meteorological satellite measurements of total ozone

A multichannel filter radiometer (MFR) on Defense Meteorological Satellites (DMS) that measured total ozone on a global-scale from March 1977 - February 1980 is described. The total ozone data measured by the MFR were compared with total ozone data taken by surfaced-based Dobson spectrophotometers. When comparisons were made for five months, the Dobson spectrophotometer measured 2-5% more total ozone than the MFR. Comparisons between the Dobson spectrophotometer and the MFR showed a reduced RMS difference as the comparisons were made at closer proximity. A Northern Hemisphere total ozone distribution obtained from MFR data is presented.

Lovill, J. E.↗

Determination of the Solar Energy Microclimate of the United States Using Satellite Data

The determination of total solar energy reaching the ground over the United States using measurements from meteorological satellites as the basic data set is examined. The methods of satellite data processing are described. Uncertainty analysis and comparison of results with well calibrated surface pyranometers are used to estimate the probable error in the satellite-based determination of ground insolation. It is 10 to 15 percent for daily information, and about 5 percent for monthly values. However, the natural space and time variability of insolation is much greater than the uncertainty in the method. The most important aspect of the satellite-based technique is the ability to determine the solar energy reaching the ground over small areas where no other measurements are available. Thus, it complements the widely spaced solar radiation measurement network of ground stations.

Vonderharr, T. H.↗

Radiation measurements from polar and geosynchronous satellites

The following topics are discussed: (1) cloud effects in climate determination; (2) annual variation in the global heat balance of the earth; (3) the accuracy of precipitation estimates made from passive microwave measurements from satellites; (4) seasonal oceanic precipitation frequencies; (5) determination of mesoscale temperature and moisture fields over land from satellite radiance measurements; and (6) Nimbus 6 scanning microwave spectrometer data evaluation for surface wind and pressure components in tropical storms.

Vonderhaar, T. H.↗

The annual variation in the global heat balance of the earth

An annual variation with a range of 31 W/sq m is found in the global net radiation balance of the earth. The net radiation flux values measured from satellites and the changes in total heat content computed from independent sets of atmospheric and oceanic data show annual variations which are consistent with each other in both phase and magnitude. The net energy gain and loss by the planet within a year is stored and released within the system primarily by the oceans.

Ellis, J. S.↗

Zonal average earth radiation budget measurements from satellites for climate studies

Data from 29 months of satellite radiation budget measurements, taken intermittently over the period 1964 through 1971, are composited into mean month, season and annual zonally averaged meridional profiles. Individual months, which comprise the 29 month set, were selected as representing the best available total flux data for compositing into large scale statistics for climate studies. A discussion of spatial resolution of the measurements along with an error analysis, including both the uncertainty and standard error of the mean, are presented.

Ellis, J. S.↗

Solar energy microclimate as determined from satellite observations

A method is presented for determining solar insolation at the earth's surface using satellite broadband visible radiance and cloud imagery data, along with conventional in situ measurements. Conventional measurements are used to both tune satellite measurements and to develop empirical relationships between satellite observations and surface solar insolation. Cloudiness is the primary modulator of sunshine. The satellite measurements as applied in this method consider cloudiness both explicitly and implicitly in determining surface solar insolation at space scales smaller than the conventional pyranometer network.

Vonder Haar, T. H.↗

Atlas of radiation budget measurements from satellites, 1962 - 1970

Radiation budget data measured at the top of the atmosphere by earth-orbiting satellites for various time periods in the years 1962 through 1970 are presented in the form of contoured maps which were derived from 5 seasonal and 25 monthly and semimonthly data sets. The data are values of planetary albedo, infrared radiant exitance, absorbed solar energy, net radiation balance. Documentation and contoured maps are included together with data tabulation at each 10 deg latitude and longitude. Additional data published by other authors are referenced.

Vonderhaar, T. H.↗