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Precise monitoring of global temperature trends from satellitesPassive microwave radiometry from satellites provides more precise atmospheric temperature information than that obtained from the relatively sparse distribution of thermometers over the earth's surface. Accurate global atmospheric temperature estimates are needed for detection of possible greenhouse warming, evaluation of computer models of climate change, and for understanding important factors in the climate system. Analysis of the first 10 years (1979 to 1988) of satellite measurements of lower atmospheric temperature changes reveals a monthly precision of 0.01 C, large temperature variability on time scales from weeks to several years, but no obvious trend for the 10-year period. The warmest years, in descending order, were 1987, 1988, 1983, and 1980. The years 1984, 1985, and 1986 were the coolest.
Document ID
19900042885
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Spencer, Roy W.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Christy, John R.
(Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
March 30, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 247
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
90A29940
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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