The Dark Target aerosol retrieval algorithm: From EOS to SNPP and Beyond
Abstract
Aboard NASA's Terra (since 2000) and Aqua (since 2002) satellites, the Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors have been observing the Earth in spectral bands that cover the wavelength range of reflected solar radiation. We have been applying the "dark-target" (DT) aerosol retrieval algorithm to derive aerosol optical depth (AOD) over land and ocean and Angstrom Exponent (AE) over ocean. The 17+ year DT-MODIS dataset is getting longer, but still too short to robustly detect global aerosol trends. Therefore, we have targeted additional sensors to continue, expand, and interpret the MODIS aerosol data records. One of these is the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which has similar capabilities as MODIS for monitoring global aerosol. By using consistent radiative transfer and other algorithm assumptions, we have ported DT to the VIIRS aboard Suomi-NPP (SNPP; launched 2011). As expected, the DT-VIIRS and DT-MODIS data records are qualitatively very similar. However, there are appear to be systematic as well as random differences between the two datasets. We have been exploring why there are such differences (calibration, cloud masking, etc) and mitigating (applying correction factors, applying new cloud masks, etc) if possible. At the same time, we are adding diagnostics and variables into the VIIRS framework, so that its "maturity and usefulness" become more equivalent to the recent MODIS update (Collection 6.1). Starting with the scheduled launch of JPSS-1 later this year, we envision creation of long-term DT aerosol record, well into the 2030s.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.A11N..04L
- Keywords:
-
- 3360 Remote sensing;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 0480 Remote sensing;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 1640 Remote sensing;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 4894 Instruments;
- sensors;
- and techniques;
- OCEANOGRAPHY: BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL