Parameterization of surface temperature retrieval for remote sensing experiments

The paper describes a parameterization procedure for determining the actual surface temperature from the effective brightness temperature measured radiometrically in the 11-micron window region. The algorithm permits computation of the atmospheric correction without performing detailed radiative transfer calculations, and corrections for atmospheric water vapor and for variations of surface emittance are explained. The parameterization is based on model calculations performed with a line-by-line radiative transfer program, and the sensitivity of the retrieved surface temperature to uncertainties concerning the water vapor and the surface emittance is examined.