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At least 37 records · Page 2

Retrievals with the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer

The Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on the MetOp satellite was launched on October 19, 2006. The Joint Airborne IASI Validation Experiment (JAIVEx) was conducted during April 2007 mainly for validation of the IASI on the MetOp satellite. IASI possesses an ultra-spectral resolution of 0.25/cm and a spectral coverage from 645 to 2760/cm. Ultraspectral resolution infrared spectral radiance obtained from near nadir observations provide atmospheric, surface, and cloud property information. An advanced retrieval algorithm with a fast radiative transfer model, including cloud effects, is used for atmospheric profile and cloud parameter retrieval. Preliminary retrievals of atmospheric soundings, surface properties, and cloud optical/microphysical properties with the IASI observations during the JAIVEx are obtained and presented. These retrievals are further inter-compared with those obtained from airborne FTS system, such as the NPOESS Airborne Sounder Testbed Interferometer (NAST-I), dedicated dropsondes, radiosondes, and ground based Raman Lidar. The capabilities of satellite ultra-spectral sounder such as the IASI are investigated.

Zhou, Daniel K.↗

Technology Development in Support of Hyperspectral Infrared Atmospheric Sounding in a CubeSat

Hyperspectral infrared sounding in a CubeSat will provide a new dimension to the current suite of IR sounders by allowing measurements at multiple times of day and enabling formation flying of IR sounders for new data products such as Atmospheric Motion Vector (AMV) winds. This paper focuses on technology development during the CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) project sponsored by the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), and coincident studies by the NOAA Office of Projects, Planning, and Analysis (OPPA). The CIRAS approach incorporates key new instrument technologies developed at JPL’s Microdevices Lab (MDL) including a 2D array of High Operating Temperature Barrier Infrared Detector (HOT-BIRD) material, selected for its high uniformity, low cost, low noise and higher operating temperatures than traditional materials. The second key technology is an MWIR Grating Spectrometer (MGS) designed by Ball Aerospace with a JPL MDL slit and immersion grating to provide hyperspectral infrared imaging in a CubeSat volume. The third key technology is a blackbody calibration target fabricated with MDL’s black silicon to have very high emissivity in a flat plate construction. JPL has completed design and breadboard of the mechanical, electronic and thermal subsystems for CIRAS payload including a HOT-BIRD FPA, with filters in a dewar and a breadboard of the electronics and scan mirror assembly. Blue Canyon Technologies, developer of the CIRAS 6U CubeSat, completed the Final Design Review for the spacecraft.

Yee, Karl↗

Determination of the horizontal and vertical distribution of clouds from infrared satellite sounding data

A numerical algorithm, based on a physical inversion of the radiative transfer equation, is developed to retrieve the global distribution of the horizontal cloud cover, the cloud-top pressure levels and their temperature. The algorithm makes use of infrared and microwave temperature sounding data to derive the clear-column vertical temperature profiles and then uses the same infrared sounding data to obtain the corresponding cloud parameters. Experimental verification of this method is carried out using data from the High resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS) and the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) operating on the NOAA weather satellite system.

Chahine, M. T.↗

Error Consistency Analysis Scheme for Infrared Ultraspectral Sounding Retrieval Error Budget Estimation

Great effort has been devoted towards validating geophysical parameters retrieved from ultraspectral infrared radiances obtained from satellite remote sensors. An error consistency analysis scheme (ECAS), utilizing fast radiative transfer model (RTM) forward and inverse calculations, has been developed to estimate the error budget in terms of mean difference and standard deviation of error in both spectral radiance and retrieval domains. The retrieval error is assessed through ECAS without relying on other independent measurements such as radiosonde data. ECAS establishes a link between the accuracies of radiances and retrieved geophysical parameters. ECAS can be applied to measurements from any ultraspectral instrument and any retrieval scheme with its associated RTM. In this manuscript, ECAS is described and demonstrated with measurements from the MetOp-A satellite Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). This scheme can be used together with other validation methodologies to give a more definitive characterization of the error and/or uncertainty of geophysical parameters retrieved from ultraspectral radiances observed from current and future satellite remote sensors such as IASI, the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS).

Zhou, Daniel K.↗

Infrared remote sounding

Atmospheric radiation was measured as a function of wavelength, position, angle, and time. Radiation was determined by temperature, cloud (aerosol), composition, and surface emissivity measurements. The theory of radiative transfer is reviewed, along with retrieval methods. Instruments onboard space probes for infrared remote sounding of planetary atmospheres are also described.

Rodgers, C. D.↗

Detection of stratospheric N2O5 by infrared remote sounding

Measurements of N2O5 absorption (1230 and 1260 per cm) in infrared spectra were carried out using the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) instruments on board Spacelab 3. The detection of stratospheric N2O5, a temporary reservoir species whose photolysis products catalyze ozone destruction, was confirmed. Preliminary analysis of spectra recorded at sunrise on 1 May 1985 indicates a peak volume mixing ratio of 1.6 x 10 the -9th at 35 km an altitude of 35 km, or a broad concentration peak pf 4 x 10 to the 8th molecules per cu cm between 21 and 35 km. Absorption was not detected in spectra measured at sunset due to the depletion of N2O5 by photolysis during the day. The volume mixing ratio profile of N2O5 between 0 and 75 km altitude is reproduced in graphic form.

Toon, G. C.↗

Infrared remote sounding of the middle atmosphere of Venus from the Pioneer orbiter

Orbiter infrared measurements of the Venus atmosphere in the 60to 140-kilometer region show very small diurnal temperature differences near the cloud tops, increasing somewhat at higher levels. The seasonal (that is, equator to pole) contrasts are an order of magnitude larger, and the temperatures unexpectedly increase with increasing latitude below 80 kilometers. An isothermal layer at least two scale heights in vertical extent is found near the 100-kilometer altitude, where the temperature is about 175 K. Structure is present in the cloud temperature maps on a range of spatial scales. The most striking is at high latitude, where contrasts of nearly 50 K are observed between a cold circumpolar band and the region near the pole itself.

Taylor, F. W.↗

Infrared Limb Sounding with Cassini CIRS: Optimal Viewing Strategy Using Horizon Nodes

In this paper we investigate a question of science optimization during Cassini flybys of Titan. The Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) makes limb during the closest approach period when the visible horizon circle is moving swiftly across the planet. We have sought to discover if any points on the horizon are preferred for limb sounding due to having minimum movement relative to the surface. By numerical calculation, backed by geometric analysis, we find that two limited regions on the horizon are continuously visible during the entire encounter. We term these "limb nodes" and show how they may be employed by CIRS to optimize science by minimizing the source of systematic error due to spatial smear. These conclusions are applicable to many similar scenarios of spacecraft limb sounding during hyperbolic flyby encounters.

Mixon, Conor A.↗

High Vertically Resolved Atmospheric and Surface/Cloud Parameters Retrieved with Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI)

The Joint Airborne IASI Validation Experiment (JAIVEx) was conducted during April 2007 mainly for validation of the IASI on the MetOp satellite. IASI possesses an ultra-spectral resolution of 0.25/cm and a spectral coverage from 645 to 2760/cm. Ultra-spectral resolution infrared spectral radiance obtained from near nadir observations provide atmospheric, surface, and cloud property information. An advanced retrieval algorithm with a fast radiative transfer model, including cloud effects, is used for atmospheric profile and cloud parameter retrieval. This physical inversion scheme has been developed, dealing with cloudy as well as cloud-free radiance observed with ultraspectral infrared sounders, to simultaneously retrieve surface, atmospheric thermodynamic, and cloud microphysical parameters. A fast radiative transfer model, which applies to the cloud-free and/or clouded atmosphere, is used for atmospheric profile and cloud parameter retrieval. A one-dimensional (1-d) variational multi-variable inversion solution is used to improve an iterative background state defined by an eigenvector-regression-retrieval. The solution is iterated in order to account for non-linearity in the 1-d variational solution. It is shown that relatively accurate temperature and moisture retrievals are achieved below optically thin clouds. For optically thick clouds, accurate temperature and moisture profiles down to cloud top level are obtained. For both optically thin and thick cloud situations, the cloud top height can be retrieved with relatively high accuracy (i.e., error < 1 km). Preliminary retrievals of atmospheric soundings, surface properties, and cloud optical/microphysical properties with the IASI observations are obtained and presented. These retrievals will be further inter-compared with those obtained from airborne FTS system, such as the NPOESS Airborne Sounder Testbed - Interferometer (NAST-I), dedicated dropsondes, radiosondes, and ground based Raman Lidar. The capabilities of satellite ultra-spectral sounder such as the IASI are investigated indicating a high vertical structure of atmosphere is retrieved.

Zhou, Daniel K.↗

Stratospheric sounding by infrared heterodyne spectroscopy

Intensity profiles of infrared spectral lines of stratospheric constituents can be fully resolved with a heterodyne spectrometer of sufficiently high resolution. The constituents' vertical distributions can then be evaluated accurately by analytic inversion of the measured line profiles. Estimates of the detection sensitivity of a heterodyne receiver are given in terms of minimum detectable volume mixing ratios of stratospheric constituents, indicating a large number of minor constituents which can be studied. Stratospheric spectral line shapes, and the resolution required to measure them are discussed in light of calculated synthetic line profiles for some stratospheric molecules in a model atmosphere. The inversion technique for evaluation of gas concentration profiles is briefly described and applications to synthetic lines of O3, CO2, CH4 and N2O are given.

Abbas, M. M.↗

Stratospheric sounding by infrared heterodyne spectroscopy

Intensity profiles of infrared spectral lines of stratospheric constituents can be fully resolved with a heterodyne spectrometer of sufficiently high resolution (approximately 5 MHz = 0.000167 kaysers at 10 microns). The constituents' vertical distributions can then be evaluated accurately by analytic inversion of the measured line profiles. Estimates of the detection sensitivity of a heterodyne receiver are given in terms of minimum detectable volume mixing ratios of stratospheric constituents, indicating a large number of minor constituents which can be studied. Stratospheric spectral line shapes and the resolution required to measure them are discussed in light of calculated synthetic line profiles for some stratospheric molecules in a model atmosphere. The inversion technique for evaluation of gas concentration profiles is briefly described, and applications to synthetic lines of O3, CO2, CH4, and N2O are given. Some recent heterodyne measurements of CO2 and O3 absorption lines are analytically inverted, and the vertical distributions of the two gases are determined.

Abbas, M. M.↗

Far infrared remote sounding of stratospheric temperature and trace gas distributions

An evaluation is made of the potential usefulness of far-IR thermal emission measurements for simultaneous retrieval of temperature and constituent distributions. Attention is given to the design and performance of a high resolution Michelson interferometer which is currently used in balloon-borne far-IR stratospheric studies. Numerical results based on synthetic limb radiance data for model atmospheres are presented. Formal inversion techniques, together with a radiative transfer model that is based on line-by-line transmittance calculations, are used. Numerical results based on synthetic limb radiance data are given in order to assess the retrieval accuracies of the temperature profiles and the vertical mixing ratio profiles of O3, HCl, and OH.

Abbas, M. M.↗

Retrieval with Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer and Validation during JAIVEx

A state-of-the-art IR-only retrieval algorithm has been developed with an all-season-global EOF Physical Regression and followed by 1-D Var. Physical Iterative Retrieval for IASI, AIRS, and NAST-I. The benefits of this retrieval are to produce atmospheric structure with a single FOV horizontal resolution (approx. 15 km for IASI and AIRS), accurate profiles above the cloud (at least) or down to the surface, surface parameters, and/or cloud microphysical parameters. Initial case study and validation indicates that surface, cloud, and atmospheric structure (include TBL) are well captured by IASI and AIRS measurements. Coincident dropsondes during the IASI and AIRS overpasses are used to validate atmospheric conditions, and accurate retrievals are obtained with an expected vertical resolution. JAIVEx has provided the data needed to validate the retrieval algorithm and its products which allows us to assess the instrument ability and/or performance. Retrievals with global coverage are under investigation for detailed retrieval assessment. It is greatly desired that these products be used for testing the impact on Atmospheric Data Assimilation and/or Numerical Weather Prediction.

Zhou, Daniel K.↗

Modeling and data assimilation for Mars Observer

The Mars Observer mission will return a substantial set of meteorological data for the atmosphere of Mars, principally in the form of thermal infrared soundings from the Pressure Modulator Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR). The dataset will enable global studies of a range of dynamical and physical phenomena in the martian atmosphere. The solar orbital configuration of Mars Observer, however, means that the coverage of the martian atmosphere and surface by remote sounding instruments will be asynchronous. This leads to difficulties of interpretation when studying synoptic-scale phenomena with timescales of a few days. In an attempt to overcome such problems we propose to use data assimilation techniques, as currently employed for operational weather forecasting on the Earth, in conjunction with a Martian General Circulation Model (MGCM) that is under development at Oxford and Reading Universities. An overview of the model and assimilation scheme will be given, with reference to problems encountered so far in applying such methods to remote-sensing observations of the martian atmosphere.

Lewis, Stephen R.↗

S-NPP ATMS Instrument Prelaunch and On-Orbit Performance Evaluation

The first of a new generation of microwave sounders was launched aboard the Suomi-National Polar-Orbiting Partnership satellite in October 2011. The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) combines the capabilities and channel sets of three predecessor sounders into a single package to provide information on the atmospheric vertical temperature and moisture profiles that are the most critical observations needed for numerical weather forecast models. Enhancements include size/mass/power approximately one third of the previous total, three new sounding channels, the first space-based, Nyquist-sampled cross-track microwave temperature soundings for improved fusion with infrared soundings, plus improved temperature control and reliability. This paper describes the ATMS characteristics versus its predecessor, the advanced microwave sounding unit (AMSU), and presents the first comprehensive evaluation of key prelaunch and on-orbit performance parameters. Two-year on-orbit performance shows that the ATMS has maintained very stable radiometric sensitivity, in agreement with prelaunch data, meeting requirements for all channels (with margins of ~40% for channels 1-15), and improvements over AMSU-A when processed for equivalent spatial resolution. The radiometric accuracy, determined by analysis from ground test measurements, and using on-orbit instrument temperatures, also shows large margins relative to requirements (specified as <1.0K for channels 1, 2, and 16-22 and <0.75 K for channels 3-15). A thorough evaluation of the performance of ATMS is especially important for this first proto-flight model unit of what will eventually be a series of ATMS sensors providing operational sounding capability for the U.S. and its international partners well into the next decade.

temperature↗