scholarly journals The first global 883 GHz cloud ice survey: IceCube Level 1 data calibration, processing and analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5369-5387
Author(s):  
Jie Gong ◽  
Dong L. Wu ◽  
Patrick Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Space Station ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
L1 Data ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
Data Calibration

Abstract. Sub-millimeter (200–1000 GHz) wavelengths contribute a unique capability to fill in the sensitivity gap between operational visible–infrared (VIS–IR) and microwave (MW) remote sensing for atmospheric cloud ice and snow. Being able to penetrate clouds to measure cloud ice mass and microphysical properties in the middle to upper troposphere, a critical spectrum range, is necessary for us to understand the connection between cloud ice and precipitation processes. As the first spaceborne 883 GHz radiometer, the IceCube mission was NASA's latest spaceflight demonstration of commercial sub-millimeter radiometer technology. Successfully launched from the International Space Station, IceCube is essentially a free-running radiometer and collected valuable 15-month measurements of atmosphere and cloud ice. This paper describes the detailed procedures for Level 1 (L1) data calibration, processing and validation. The scientific quality and value of IceCube data are then discussed, including radiative transfer model validation and evaluation, as well as the unique spatial distribution and diurnal cycle of cloud ice that are revealed for the first time on a quasi-global scale at this frequency. IceCube Level 1 dataset is publicly available at Gong and Wu (2021) (https://doi.org/10.25966/3d2p-f515).

scholarly journals The first global 883 GHz cloud ice survey: IceCube Level 1 data calibration, processing and analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Gong ◽  
Dong L. Wu ◽  
Patrick Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Space Station ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Scientific Quality ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Free Running ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
Data Calibration

Abstract. Sub-millimeter (sub-mm, 200–1000 GHz) wavelengths contribute a unique capability to fill-in the sensitivity gap between operational visible/infrared (VIS/IR) and microwave (MW) remote sensing for atmosphere cloud ice and snow. Being able of penetrating cloud to measure cloud ice mass and microphysical properties in the middle to upper troposphere, this is a critical spectrum range for us to understand the connection between cloud ice and precipitation processes. As the first space-borne 883 GHz radiometer, IceCube mission was NASA's latest effort in spaceflight demonstration of a commercial sub-mm radiometer technology. Successfully launched from the International Space Station, IceCube is essentially a free-running radiometer and collected valuable 15-month measurements of atmosphere and cloud ice. This paper describes the detailed procedures for Level 1 data calibration, processing and validation. The scientific quality and values of IceCube data are then discussed, including radiative transfer model validation and evaluation, as well as the unique spatial distribution and diurnal cycle of cloud ice that are revealed for the first time on a quasi-global scale at this frequency.

scholarly journals All-sky Information Content Analysis for Novel Passive Microwave Instruments in the Range from 23.8 GHz up to 874.4 GHz

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Grützun ◽  
Stefan A. Buehler ◽  
Lukas Kluft ◽  
Jana Mendrok ◽  
Manfred Brath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Information Content ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Submillimeter Wavelength ◽  
Great Ability ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Cloud Ice

Abstract. We perform an all-sky information content analysis for channels in the millimeter/submillimeter wavelength with 24 channels in the region from 23.8 up to 874.4 GHz. Our set of channels corresponds to the instruments ISMAR and MARSS, which are available on the British FAAM research aircraft, and it is complemented by two precipitation channels at low frequencies from Deimos. The channels also cover ICI, which will be part of the MetOp-SG mission. We use simulated atmospheres from the ICON model as basis for the study and quantify the information content with the reduction of degrees of freedom (ΔDOF). The required Jacobians are calculated with the radiative transfer model ARTS. Specifically we focus on the dependence of the information content on the atmospheric composition. In general we find a high information content for the frozen hydrometeors, which mainly comes from the higher channels beyond 183.31 GHz (on average 4.99 for cloud ice and 4.84 for snow). Profile retrievals may be possible for the mass densities and some information about the microphysical properties, especially for cloud ice, can be gained. The information about the liquid hydrometeors comes from the lower channels and is comparably low (2.36 for liquid cloud water and 1.81 for rain). There is little information about the profile or the microphysical properties. The Jacobians for a specific cloud hydrometeor strongly depend on the atmospheric composition. Especially for the liquid hydrometeors they even change sign in some cases. However, the information content is robust. For liquid hydrometeors it slightly decreases in the presence of any frozen hydrometeor, for the frozen hydrometeors it slightly decreases in the presence of the respective other frozen hydrometeor. The overall results with regard to the frozen hydrometeors in principle also hold for the ICI sensor. This points to its great ability to observe ice clouds from space on a global scale with a good spatial coverage in unprecedented detail.

scholarly journals Airborne validation of radiative transfer modelling of ice clouds at millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelengths

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Fox ◽  
Jana Mendrok ◽  
Patrick Eriksson ◽  
Robin Ekelund ◽  
Sebastian J. O'Shea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Research Aircraft ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
Ice Water

Abstract. The next generation of European polar orbiting weather satellites will carry a novel instrument, the Ice Cloud Imager (ICI), which uses passive observations between 183 and 664 GHz to make daily global observations of cloud ice. Successful use of these observations requires accurate modelling of cloud ice scattering, and this study uses airborne observations from two flights of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146 research aircraft to validate radiative transfer simulations of cirrus clouds at frequencies between 325 and 664 GHz using the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) and a state-of-the-art database of cloud ice optical properties. Particular care is taken to ensure that the inputs to the radiative transfer model are representative of the true atmospheric state by combining both remote-sensing and in-situ observations of the same clouds to create realistic vertical profiles of cloud properties that are consistent with both observed particle size distributions and bulk ice mass. The simulations are compared to measurements from the International Submillimetre Airborne Radiometer (ISMAR), which is an airborne demonstrator for ICI. It is shown that whilst they are generally able to reproduce the observed cloud signals, for a given ice water path (IWP) there is considerable sensitivity to the cloud microphysics including the distribution of ice mass within the cloud and the ice particle habit. Accurate retrievals from ICI will therefore require realistic representations of cloud microphysical properties.

scholarly journals Airborne validation of radiative transfer modelling of ice clouds at millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelengths

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1599-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Fox ◽  
Jana Mendrok ◽  
Patrick Eriksson ◽  
Robin Ekelund ◽  
Sebastian J. O'Shea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Research Aircraft ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
Ice Water

Abstract. The next generation of European polar orbiting weather satellites will carry a novel instrument, the Ice Cloud Imager (ICI), which uses passive observations between 183 and 664 GHz to make daily global observations of cloud ice. Successful use of these observations requires accurate modelling of cloud ice scattering, and this study uses airborne observations from two flights of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe 146 research aircraft to validate radiative transfer simulations of cirrus clouds at frequencies between 325 and 664 GHz using the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) and a state-of-the-art database of cloud ice optical properties. Particular care is taken to ensure that the inputs to the radiative transfer model are representative of the true atmospheric state by combining both remote-sensing and in situ observations of the same clouds to create realistic vertical profiles of cloud properties that are consistent with both observed particle size distributions and bulk ice mass. The simulations are compared to measurements from the International Submillimetre Airborne Radiometer (ISMAR), which is an airborne demonstrator for ICI. It is shown that whilst they are generally able to reproduce the observed cloud signals, for a given ice water path (IWP) there is considerable sensitivity to the cloud microphysics, including the distribution of ice mass within the cloud and the ice particle habit. Accurate retrievals from ICI will therefore require realistic representations of cloud microphysical properties.

scholarly journals Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 4707-4723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Glatthor ◽  
Thomas von Clarmann ◽  
Gabriele P. Stiller ◽  
Michael Kiefer ◽  
Alexandra Laeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectroscopic Data ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Forward Modelling ◽  
Hitran Database ◽  
Processing Scheme ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Standing Problem

Abstract. Discrepancies in ozone retrievals in MIPAS channels A (685–970 cm−1) and AB (1020–1170 cm−1) have been a long-standing problem in MIPAS data analysis, amounting to an interchannel bias (AB–A) of up to 8 % between ozone volume mixing ratios in the altitude range 30–40 km. We discuss various candidate explanations, among them forward model and retrieval algorithm errors, interchannel calibration inconsistencies and spectroscopic data inconsistencies. We show that forward-modelling errors as well as errors in the retrieval algorithm can be ruled out as an explanation because the bias can be reproduced with an entirely independent retrieval algorithm (GEOFIT), relying on a different forward radiative transfer model. Instrumental and calibration issues can also be refuted as an explanation because ozone retrievals based on balloon-borne measurements with a different instrument (MIPAS-B) and an independent level-1 data processing scheme produce a rather similar interchannel bias. Thus, spectroscopic inconsistencies in the MIPAS database used for ozone retrieval are practically the only reason left. To further investigate this issue, we performed retrievals using additional spectroscopic databases. Various versions of the HITRAN database generally produced rather similar channel AB–A differences. Use of a different database, namely GEISA-2015, led to similar results in channel AB, but to even higher ozone volume mixing ratios for channel A retrievals, i.e. to a reversal of the bias. We show that the differences in MIPAS channel A retrievals result from about 13 % lower air-broadening coefficients of the strongest lines in the GEISA-2015 database. Since the errors in line intensity of the major lines used in MIPAS channels A and AB are reported to be considerably lower than the observed bias, we posit that a major part of the channel AB–A differences can be attributed to inconsistent air-broadening coefficients as well. To corroborate this assumption we show some clearly inconsistent air-broadening coefficients in the HITRAN-2008 database. The interchannel bias in retrieved ozone amounts can be reduced by increasing the air-broadening coefficients of the lines in MIPAS channel AB in the HITRAN-2008 database by 6 %–8 %.

scholarly journals Ozone Monitoring Instrument spectral UV irradiance products: comparison with ground based measurements at an urban environment

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 17467-17493 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kazadzis ◽  
A. Bais ◽  
A. Arola ◽  
N. Krotkov ◽  
N. Kouremeti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Scale ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Aerosol Absorption ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Uv Irradiance ◽  
Ozone Monitoring ◽  
Comparison Period

Abstract. We have compared spectral ultraviolet overpass irradiances from the Ozone Monitoring Instruments (OMI) against ground-based Brewer measurements at Thessaloniki, Greece from September 2004 to December 2007. It is demonstrated that OMI overestimates UV irradiances by 30%, 17% and 13% for 305 nm, 324 nm, and 380 nm respectively and 20% for erythemally weighted irradiance. The bias between OMI and Brewer increases with increasing aerosol absorption optical thickness. We present methodologies that can be applied for correcting this bias based on experimental results derived from the comparison period and also theoretical approaches using radiative transfer model calculations. All correction approaches minimize the bias and the standard deviation of the ratio OMI versus Brewer ratio. According to the results, the best correction approach suggests that the OMI UV product has to be multiplied by a correction factor CA(λ) are in the order of 0.8, 0.88 and 0.9 for 305 nm, 324 nm and 380 nm respectively. Limitations and possibilities for applying such methodologies in a global scale are also discussed.

scholarly journals Large-scale validation of SCIAMACHY reflectance in the ultraviolet

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1771-1796 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. van Soest ◽  
L. G. Tilstra ◽  
P. Stammes
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Validation Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Scale Validation ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Time Level ◽  
Standard Calibration ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Reflectance Data

Abstract. In this paper we present an extensive validation of calibrated SCIAMACHY nadir reflectance in the UV (240–400 nm) by comparison with spectra calculated with a fast radiative transfer model. We use operationally delivered near-real-time level 1 data, processed with 5 standard calibration tools. A total of 9 months of data has been analysed. This is the first reflectance validation study incorporating such a large amount of data. It is shown that this method is a valuable tool for spotting spatial and temporal anomalies. We conclude that SCIAMACHY reflectance data in this wavelength range are stable over the investigated period. In addition, we show an example of an 10 anomaly in the data due to an error in the processing chain that could be detected by our comparison. This validation method could be extremely useful too for validation of other satellite spectrometers, such as OMI and GOME-2.

scholarly journals Strato-mesospheric ClO observations by SMILES: error analysis and diurnal variation

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 4667-4710 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. O. Sato ◽  
H. Sagawa ◽  
D. Kreyling ◽  
T. Manabe ◽  
S. Ochiai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Error Analysis ◽  
Diurnal Variation ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Total Error ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Submillimeter Wave ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Instrument Function ◽  
Key Species

Abstract. Chlorine monoxide (ClO) is the key species for anthropogenic ozone loss in the middle atmosphere. We observed the ClO diurnal variation using the Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES) on the International Space Station which has a non sun-synchronous orbit. This is the first global observation of the ClO diurnal variation from the stratosphere up to the mesosphere. The SMILES observation reproduced the diurnal variation of stratospheric ClO, an enhancement during a daytime, as observed by the Microwave Limb Sounder on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS/MLS). Mesospheric ClO has shown a different diurnal behavior with an enhancement during nighttime. The ClO enhancement was found at a pressure of 0.02 hPa (about 70 km) with an amplitude of about 100 pptv and reached up to 0.01 hPa (80 km) in the zonal mean of 50° N–65° N in January–February 2010. The observation of mesospheric ClO was possible due to the 10–20 times better signal-to-noise ratio of the spectra than those of past microwave/submillimeter-wave limb-emission sounders. We performed a quantitative error analysis for the strato- and mesospheric ClO of the Level-2 research (L2r) product version 2.1.5 taking into account all possible error contributions; i.e. errors due to spectrum noise, smoothing and uncertainties in the radiative transfer model and instrument function. The SMILES L2r v2.1.5 ClO data are useful over the range 0.01 and 100 hPa with a total error of 10–30 pptv (about 10%) with averaging of 100 profiles. The vertical resolution is 3–5 km and 5–8 km for the stratosphere and mesosphere, respectively. The performance of the SMILES observation opens the new opportunity to investigate ClO up to the mesopause.

scholarly journals Effect of Structural Uncertainty in Passive Microwave Soil Moisture Retrieval Algorithm

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1225
Author(s):  
Lanka Karthikeyan ◽  
Ming Pan ◽  
Dasika Nagesh Kumar ◽  
Eric F. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Passive Microwave ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Structural Uncertainty ◽  
Three Solutions ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Retrieval Algorithms

Passive microwave sensors use a radiative transfer model (RTM) to retrieve soil moisture (SM) using brightness temperatures (TB) at low microwave frequencies. Vegetation optical depth (VOD) is a key input to the RTM. Retrieval algorithms can analytically invert the RTM using dual-polarized TB measurements to retrieve the VOD and SM concurrently. Algorithms in this regard typically use the τ-ω types of models, which consist of two third-order polynomial equations and, thus, can have multiple solutions. Through this work, we find that uncertainty occurs due to the structural indeterminacy that is inherent in all τ-ω types of models in passive microwave SM retrieval algorithms. In the process, a new analytical solution for concurrent VOD and SM retrieval is presented, along with two widely used existing analytical solutions. All three solutions are applied to a fixed framework of RTM to retrieve VOD and SM on a global scale, using X-band Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) TB data. Results indicate that, with structural uncertainty, there ensues a noticeable impact on the VOD and SM retrievals. In an era where the sensitivity of retrieval algorithms is still being researched, we believe the structural indeterminacy of RTM identified here would contribute to uncertainty in the soil moisture retrievals.

scholarly journals Retrieval of Cloud Ice Water Path from Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS)

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ninghai Sun ◽  
Fuzhong Weng
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Effective Diameter ◽  
Water Path ◽  
Ice Cloud ◽  
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program ◽  
Microwave Sounding ◽  
Microwave Imager ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
Ice Water

AbstractThe Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-16 spacecraft measures the Earth-emitted radiation at frequencies from 19 to 183 GHz. From its high-frequency channels at 91 and 150 GHz, cloud microphysical parameters can be observed at a spatial resolution of 15 km. In this study, a simplified two-stream radiative transfer model is applied for microwave applications as a three-parameter equation and then used to retrieve the ice cloud water path (IWP) and ice particle effective diameter De. Since SSMIS is a conically scanning instrument, the retrieved IWP is less dependent on scan position and is a useful product for imaging atmospheric ice-phase clouds related to precipitation. Thus, IWP is also used to estimate surface rainfall rate through the same relationship derived previously and used in Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU-B) and Microwave Humidity Sounder applications. The SSMIS-derived ice cloud products are compared with those from other microwave instruments on the MetOp-A satellite, and both agree well in their spatial distributions.

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