The Numerical Simulation of Infrared Satellite Measurements Over the Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian Sea
Abstract
The accuracy with which self-calibrating satellite infrared radiometers can measure sea-surface temperature is limited by the modification of the electromagnetic radiation before it reaches the radiometer. These physical effects are described for the spectral interval of infrared wavelengths from approx. 10 to approx. 14 microns and the 'split-window' expression for sea- surface temperature is derived and discussed. An accurate numerical line-by-line model of the radiative transfer through the atmosphere is presented and is used to simulate measurements of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR/ 2) on the NOAA series of near-polar orbiting satellites for conditions of the region of the Greenland, Iceland and Norwegian Seas. A set of regionally optimized zenith-angle dependent coefficients for the 'split-window' algorithm is derived and its error characteristics are discussed. While the benefit of using such coefficients is demonstrated, the errors resulting from failing to account properly for seasonal changes in this particular region are shown to be relatively small. The FORTRAN programs used for the AVHRR/2 simulations at SACLANTCEN are described in appendixes. Keywords: Atmospheric variability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198653
Entities
People
- Peter J. Minnett
Organizations
- SACLANT ASW Research Centre