Performance of scene dependent angular models in deriving top-of-atmosphere radiative fluxes from satellite radiance measurements

The ERB experiment algorithm is applied to the Nimbus-7 scanner data for June 1979 to analyze the performance of scene-dependent angular models. The ERBE-derived albedo and LW flux are compared to results from the sorting-into-angular-bins (SAB) method described by Arking and Vemury (1984) and the ERB Matrix algorithm described by Jacobowitz et al. (1984). Results are given for the variation of ERBE-derived flux with viewing zenith angle. Comparing results derived from the ERBE algorithm and from the SAB method, zonal mean differences for the month were less than 0.01 for albedo and 2 W/ sq m for longwave flux. When compared to the ERB matrix algorithm, the ERBE algorithm gives less dependence on viewing zenith angle for SW fluxes, but more for LW fluxes. Cloud results from the ERBE method using broadband Nimbus-7 ERB radiances are compared with the new cloud ERB data results of Stowe et al. (1988). Agreement typically within 0.10 was found.