IASI spectral radiance validation inter-comparisons: case study assessment from the JAIVEx field campaign

A M Larar,S M Newman,D K Zhou,X Liu,P Schlüssel,H Revercomb,J P Taylor,W L Smith

doi:10.5194/acp-10-411-2010

Abstract

Abstract. Advanced satellite sensors are tasked with improving global-scale measurements of the Earth's atmosphere, clouds, and surface to enable enhancements in weather prediction, climate monitoring, and environmental change detection. Measurement system validation is crucial to achieving this goal and maximizing research and operational utility of resultant data. Field campaigns employing satellite under-flights with well-calibrated Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) sensors aboard high-altitude aircraft are an essential part of this validation task. The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Airborne Sounder Testbed-Interferometer (NAST-I) has been a fundamental contributor in this area by providing coincident high spectral and spatial resolution observations of infrared spectral radiances along with independently-retrieved geophysical products for comparison with like products from satellite sensors being validated. This manuscript focuses on validating infrared spectral radiance from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) through a case study analysis using data obtained during the recent Joint Airborne IASI Validation Experiment (JAIVEx) field campaign. Emphasis is placed upon the benefits achievable from employing airborne interferometers such as the NAST-I since, in addition to IASI radiance calibration performance assessments, cross-validation with other advanced sounders such as the AQUA Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) is enabled.

Highlights

The performance of post-launch validation activities is crucial to verify the quality of satellite measurement systems
Field campaign data from coincident measurement assets are available for the implementation and improvement of validation methodologies but, to implement, validate, and improve radiative transfer and retrieval algorithms and future measurement system specifications (e.g., Carissimo et al, 2006; Grieco et al, 2007; Strow et al, 2006, 2008; Liu et al, 2009; Serio et al, 2009; Taylor et al, 2008; Zhou et al, 2009). This manuscript focuses on validating infrared spectral radiance from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) instrument through a case study analysis using data obtained during the recent Joint Airborne IASI Validation Experiment (JAIVEx) field campaign
This manuscript has stressed the importance of post-launch validation activities employing airborne field campaigns to verify the quality of satellite measurement systems

Summary

Introduction

The performance of post-launch validation activities is crucial to verify the quality of satellite measurement systems. Field campaign data from coincident measurement assets (i.e., ground, balloon, aircraft, and satellite) are available for the implementation and improvement of validation methodologies but, to implement, validate, and improve radiative transfer and retrieval algorithms and future measurement system specifications (e.g., Carissimo et al, 2006; Grieco et al, 2007; Strow et al, 2006, 2008; Liu et al, 2009; Serio et al, 2009; Taylor et al, 2008; Zhou et al, 2009) This manuscript focuses on validating infrared spectral radiance from the IASI instrument through a case study analysis using data obtained during the recent Joint Airborne IASI Validation Experiment (JAIVEx) field campaign.

JAIVEx field campaign and case study day

Case study flight day

Instrument systems utilized in case study analysis

Analysis approach

Inter-comparison results

Summary and conclusions