Radiometric intercomparison of AATSR, MERIS, and Aqua MODIS over Dome Concordia (Antarctica)

Abstract

The Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR), Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (A-MODIS), and Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) level 1 data are compared at top-of-atmosphere level for nearly simultaneous observations carried out under nearly identical geometries. Comparisons are carried out over Dome Concordia, on the Antarctic Plateau. When comparing the radiometry of these sensors over this site, we estimate the systematic uncertainty of this methodology to be less than 3% and the random uncertainty to be about 2%. This methodology indicates that MERIS and A-MODIS bands at about 560 and 860 nm are in radiometric agreement within the systematic uncertainty of the methodology. AATSR seems to be in line with the two previous sensors at 560 and 670 nm, but differences of 4% are measured at 860 nm.