Satellite Observations of Aerosol Variations in the Central North Pacific Ocean

Abstract

A study of aerosol variations in the Central Pacific Ocean was conducted utilizing NOAA-9 AVHRR data and concurrent shipboard measurements from the NOAA R/V OCEANOGRAPHER during the RITS-88 cruise. The transect was conducted 7 April to 5 May 1988 along longitude 170 deg W from latitude 50 deg N to 12 deg S. Aerosol physiochemistry measurements were provided every 1 deg of latitude. Satellite observations of optical depth, Aerosol Particle Size Index (s sub 12), channel 1 (0.63 microns), and channel 3 (3.7 microns) low cloud reflectances were analysed. These parameters were evaluated during several naturally occurring events, foremost of which were the Gobi desert dust storms and the eruption of Kilauea volcano. By comparing shipboard and satellite data, satellite retrieval techniques were verified, shipboard measurements were expanded to a regional scale, and the relationship between solar reflectance and the microphysical properties of clouds were verified.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA231367

Entities

People

  • Tod D. Benedict

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Pollution
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Climate Change
  • Condensation
  • Condensation Nuclei
  • Data Analysis
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Dust Storms
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Radiative Transfer
  • Reflectance
  • Scattering
  • Solar Radiation
  • Theses

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Oceanography.

Technology Areas

  • Space