Reference Intercalibration for the Climate Observing System

Reference Intercalibration is critical in supporting the construction of climate data records, which, given their necessary longevity, must consist of measurements from multiple instruments. Reference intercalibration enables placing multiple instruments on the same radiometric scale, reducing calibration-based biases in climate data records. Measurements that have characteristics of a climate benchmark make excellent in-orbit intercalibration references. Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder (CPF) consists of a reflected solar (RS) spectrometer (350-2300 nm) that will take hyperspectral Earth reflectance measurements with unprecedented SI-traceable accuracy (0.3%, 1-sigma) from the International Space Station (ISS). CPF measurements will have several characteristics of climate benchmark measurements and will demonstrate its capability as a rigorous in-orbit intercalibration reference with Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). The methodologies that have been developed to support CPF-CERES and CPF-VIIRS intercalibration can readily be extended to other Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary instrument targets. With its highly accurate hyperspectral observations, CPF measurements can also be used to improve the characterization of targets widely used for satellite instrument vicarious calibration including Earth land surface pseudo-invariant calibration sites, deep convective clouds, and the Moon. We will discuss the importance of climate benchmark measurement attributes for intercalibration and considerations for the associated intercalibration data analysis to support building and maintaining climate data records.