Automated network at Railroad Valley, Nevada, for providing radiometric calibrations of OCO2

Traditional vicarious calibration experiments are used to provide radiometric calibrations for visible/ near-infrared sensors. Here a field team makes measurements of surface reflectance and atmospheric parameters co-incident with the flyby of an on-orbit sensor. These experiments are labor-intensive, and are often delayed waiting for clear-sky conditions. In June 2011 an automated test site was established at Railroad Valley, Nevada. Surface and atmospheric data from the test site are now downloaded automatically, and allow on-going calibrations for all overpass opportunities. This poster will describe the facility, and discuss early results in comparing top-of-atmosphere radiances to AVIRIS, MODIS, and GOSAT sensors.