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Calibration of the Microwave Limb Sounder on the Upper Atmosphere Research SatelliteThe Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) is a three-radiometer, passive, limb emission instrument onboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). Radiometric, spectral and field-of-view calibrations of the MLS instrument are described in this paper. In-orbit noise performance, gain stability, spectral baseline and dynamic range are described, as well as use of in-flight data for validation and refinement of prelaunch calibrations. Estimated systematic scaling uncertainties (3 sigma) on calibrated limb radiances from prelaunch calibrations are 2.6% in bands 1 through 3, 3.4% in band 4, and 6% in band 5. The observed systematic errors in band 6 are about 15%, consistent with prelaunch calibration uncertainties. Random uncertainties on individual limb radiance measurements are very close to the levels predicted from measured radiometer noise temperature, with negligible contribution from noise and drifts on the regular in-flight gain calibration measurements.
Document ID
19990076691
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Jarnot, R. F.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Cofield, R. E.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Waters, J. W.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Flower, D. A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Peckham, G. E.
(Heriot-Watt Univ. Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
April 30, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Volume: 101
Issue: D6
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Report/Patent Number
Paper-95JD03792
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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