Atmospheric and surface thermodynamic parameters retrieved with advanced hyperspectral remote sensors of Earth observing satellites are critical for weather prediction and scientific research. The retrieval algorithms and retrieved parameters from satellite sounders must be validated to demonstrate the capability and accuracy of both observation and data processing systems. The European AQUA Thermodynamic Experiment (EAQUATE) was conducted mainly for validation of the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) on the AQUA satellite, but also for assessment of validation systems of both ground-based and aircraft-based instruments which will be used for other satellite systems such as the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on the European MetOp satellite, the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) from the NPOESS Preparatory Project and the following NPOESS series of satellites. Detailed inter-comparisons were conducted and presented using different retrieval methodologies: measurements from airborne ultraspectral Fourier transform spectrometers, aircraft in-situ instruments, dedicated dropsondes and radiosondes, and ground based Raman Lidar, as well as from the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) modeled thermal structures. The results of this study not only illustrate the quality of the measurements and retrieval products but also demonstrate the capability of these validation systems which are put in place to validate current and future hyperspectral sounding instruments and their scientific products.
We introduce a low cost, lightweight and compact polarisation sensitive radiometer for the measurement of Cirrus clouds in the submilimeter and far-infrared region (10-50 cm-1). It is widely recognised that enhanced global measurements of cirrus properties are essential to the development of General Circulation and Climate Prediction Models (GCMs) since cirrus clouds have a strong effect on the Earths Global Radiation Budget. We introduce a project currently under development in Cardiff, to design and build a novel instrument suitable for aircraft deployment in order to measure Ice Water Path (IWP) along with cirrus particle size and shape. The radiometer will capitalise on the on going measurements of the NASA led, Fourier Transform interferometer based, Far-Infrared Sensor for Cirrus (FIRSC) instrument for which Cardiff has been closely associated. Data from FIRSC campaigns is being used to select optimum radiometer channels that exhibit good sensitivity to specific cirrus. This new multi-channel radiometer will however have some key advantages over similar spectroscopic instruments for example: portability, increased optical efficiency, a multi-angle field of view and a reduced integration period leading to an improved spatial resolution. The radiometer will benefit from the application of state-of-the-art submm/FIR polariser and solid filter technology currently being developed in Cardiff.
Remote sensing measurements of cirrus clouds are crucial for improving global climate models. Spectral measurements of the far-infrared region provide especially useful information to retrieve cirrus ice water path and particle size properties. Earth radiance spectra of this region have been obtained for a range of cloud conditions using the airborne instrument FIRSC (Far-InfraRed Sensor for Cirrus). The instrument flew on board the high altitude Proteus aircraft in the ARM-FIRE Water Vapor Experiment (AFWEX) during the Nov - Dec 2000 Intensive Operations Period. FIRSC is a Martin-Puplett type Fourier transform spectrometer with two channels covering the ranges 10 - 33 cm-1 and 80 -140 cm-1 at a resolution of 0.1 cm-1. It has achieved a noise equivalent temperature of approximately 1K at 30 cm-1 using a scan duration of 4 seconds. For the first time this far-infrared data has been compared to data from the thermal IR NAST-I (NPOESS Airborne Sounder Testbed - Interferometer), which was part of the same payload during the AFWEX flights. Retrievals of cirrus ice water path and particle size from the FIRSC data are presented.
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