Remote Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties Using the NOAA POES AVHRR and GOES Imager During TARFOX

Abstract

A radiative transfer algorithm in the solar wavelengths for the NOAA POES AVHRR and GOES Imager is proposed for the cloud-free, marine atmosphere. The algorithm combines linearized, single-scattering theory with an estimate of bi-directional surface reflectance. Phase functions are parameterized using an aerosol distribution model and the ratio of radiance values measured in channels 1 and 2 of the AVHRR. Retrieved satellite aerosol optical depth is compared to airborne sunphotometer data and derived values from particle size distributions collected during the Tropospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment (TARFOX) in July 1996. Error in the satellite derived values from the AVHRR originates in error in modeling aerosol size distributions, corresponding phase function parameterization and treatment of specular surface reflectance. Extension of the algorithm to the GOES Imager provided results consistent with the AVHRR.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA330929

Entities

People

  • Brian B. Brown

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption Coefficients
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Measurement
  • Meteorology
  • Operating Systems
  • Optical Properties
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Reflectance
  • Refractive Index
  • Scattering
  • Solar Radiation
  • Space Systems
  • United States
  • United States Naval Academy
  • Water Vapor

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Materials Science.
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Space