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A Numerical Testbed for Remote Sensing of Aerosols, and its Demonstration for Evaluating Retrieval Synergy from a Geostationary Satellite Constellation of GEO-CAPE and GOES-RWe present a numerical testbed for remote sensing of aerosols, together with a demonstration
for evaluating retrieval synergy from a geostationary satellite constellation. The testbed
combines inverse (optimal-estimation) software with a forward model containing linearized
code for computing particle scattering (for both spherical and non-spherical particles),
a kernel-based (land and ocean) surface bi-directional reflectance facility, and a linearized
radiative transfer model for polarized radiance. Calculation of gas absorption spectra uses
the HITRAN (HIgh-resolution TRANsmission molecular absorption) database of spectroscopic
line parameters and other trace species cross-sections. The outputs of the testbed
include not only the Stokes 4-vector elements and their sensitivities (Jacobians) with
respect to the aerosol single scattering and physical parameters (such as size and shape
parameters, refractive index, and plume height), but also DFS (Degree of Freedom for Signal)
values for retrieval of these parameters. This testbed can be used as a tool to provide an
objective assessment of aerosol information content that can be retrieved for any
constellation of (planned or real) satellite sensors and for any combination of algorithm
design factors (in terms of wavelengths, viewing angles, radiance and/or polarization to be
measured or used). We summarize the components of the testbed, including the derivation
and validation of analytical formulae for Jacobian calculations. Benchmark calculations from
the forward model are documented. In the context of NASA's Decadal Survey Mission GEOCAPE
(GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events), we demonstrate the use of the
testbed to conduct a feasibility study of using polarization measurements in and around the
O2 A band for the retrieval of aerosol height information from space, as well as an to assess
potential improvement in the retrieval of aerosol fine and coarse mode aerosol optical
depth (AOD) through the synergic use of two future geostationary satellites, GOES-R
(Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-series) and TEMPO (Tropospheric
Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution). Strong synergy between GEOS-R and TEMPO are found
especially in their characterization of surface bi-directional reflectance, and thereby, can
potentially improve the AOD retrieval to the accuracy required by GEO-CAPE.
Document ID
20150002133
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wang, Jun
(Nebraska Univ. Lincoln, NE, United States)
Xu, Xiaoguang
(Nebraska Univ. Lincoln, NE, United States)
Ding, Shouguo
(Nebraska Univ. Lincoln, NE, United States)
Zeng, Jing
(Nebraska Univ. Lincoln, NE, United States)
Spurr, Robert
(RT Solutions, Inc. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Liu, Xiong
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Chance, Kelly
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Mishchenko, Michael I.
(NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies New York, NY United States)
Date Acquired
February 25, 2015
Publication Date
March 29, 2014
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer
Publisher: Elsevier
Volume: 146
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN18982
GSFC-E-DAA-TN21310
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 281945.02.03.03.27
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Aerosols
Scattering
Remote sensing
Radiative transfer
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