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Effects of temperature-dependent molecular absorption coefficients on the thermal infrared remote sensing of the earth surfaceThe effect of temperature-dependent molecular absorption coefficients on thermal infrared spectral signatures measured from satellite sensors is investigated by comparing results from the atmospheric transmission and radiance codes LOWTRAN and MODTRAN and the accurate multiple scattering radiative transfer model ATRAD for different atmospheric profiles. The sensors considered include the operational NOAA AVHRR and two research instruments planned for NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS): MODIS-N (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer-Nadir-Mode) and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer). The difference in band transmittance is as large as 6 percent for some thermal bands within atmospheric windows and more than 30 percent near the edges of these atmospheric windows. The effect of temperature-dependent molecular absorption coefficients on satellite measurements of sea-surface temperature can exceed 0.6 K. Quantitative comparison and factor analysis indicate that more accurate measurements of molecular absorption coefficients and better radiative transfer simulation methods are needed to achieve SST accuracy of 0.3 K, as required for global numerical models of climate, and to develop land-surface temperature algorithms at the 1-K accuracy level.
Document ID
19930063894
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Wan, Zhengming
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Dozier, Jeff
(California Univ. Santa Barbara, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: IGARSS '92; Proceedings of the 12th Annual International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Houston, TX, May 26-29, 1992. Vol. 2 (A93-47551 20-43)
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Accession Number
93A47891
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-31370
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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