Merging the Deep Blue aerosol data records from SeaWiFS and MODIS: First Steps

Detecting trends in aerosols requires a long data record - one typically longer than the average lifespan of a space-based instrument. Thus, researchers must create data records from multiple satellites in order to get sufficient length. However, due to differences in calibration stability, spectral configuration, and processing algorithms between instruments, simply merging the data records is often unwise. The Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) was launched in 1997 and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) followed shortly thereafter in 2000 and 2002 aboard the Terra and Aqua platforms respectively. Together, these instruments provide top-of-atmosphere radiance data from 1997 to the present. By partnering these instrument records with a single aerosol retrieval algorithm, Deep Blue, we hope to create an aerosol data record of sufficient length and stability to offer a glimpse of the global and regional trends in aerosols over the last 15 years. Here, we present comparisons between the Deep Blue aerosol products from SeaWiFS (v003) and both MODIS Collection 5 and the upcoming MODIS Collection 6 releases. A four-way comparison of AERONET AOD with SeaWiFS, MODIS C5, and MODIS C6 will also be discussed.