Application of deep convective cloud albedo observation to satellite-based study of the terrestrial atmosphere: monitoring the stability of spaceborne measurements and assessing absorption anomaly

An objective method is developed to monitor the stability of spaceborne instruments, aimed at distinguishing climate trend from instrument drift in satellite-based climate observation records. This method is based on four-years of Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) broadband observations of deep convective cloud systems with cloud-top temperature lower than 205 K and with large optical depths. The implementation of this method to the CERES instrument stability analysis reveals that the monthly albedo distributions are practically the same for deep convective clouds with CERES measurements acquired from both the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and Terra satellite platforms, indicating that CERES instruments are well calibrated and stable during both missions. Furthermore, with a nonlinear regression neural network narrowband-broadband conversion, this instrument-stability monitoring method can also be applied to narrowband instruments such as the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). The results show that the drifts associated with both VIRS and MODIS instruments are less than 1% during a four-year period. Since the CERES albedo measurements are highly accurate, the absorptance of these opaque clouds can be reliably estimated. The absorptions of these clouds from observations are around 25%, whereas the absorptions from theory can be as low as 18%, depending on ice cloud microphysics.     

First results from the OMI rotational Raman scattering cloud pressure algorithm

We have developed an algorithm to retrieve scattering cloud pressures and other cloud properties with the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). The scattering cloud pressure is retrieved using the effects of rotational Raman scattering (RRS). It is defined as the pressure of a Lambertian surface that would produce the observed amount of RRS consistent with the derived reflectivity of that surface. The independent pixel approximation is used in conjunction with the Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity model to provide an effective radiative cloud fraction and scattering pressure in the presence of broken or thin cloud. The derived cloud pressures will enable accurate retrievals of trace gas mixing ratios, including ozone, in the troposphere within and above clouds. We describe details of the algorithm that will be used for the first release of these products. We compare our scattering cloud pressures with cloud-top pressures and other cloud properties from the Aqua Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument. OMI and MODIS are part of the so-called A-train satellites flying in formation within 30 min of each other. Differences between OMI and MODIS are expected because the MODIS observations in the thermal infrared are more sensitive to the cloud top whereas the backscattered photons in the ultraviolet can penetrate deeper into clouds. Radiative transfer calculations are consistent with the observed differences. The OMI cloud pressures are shown to be correlated with the cirrus reflectance. This relationship indicates that OMI can probe through thin or moderately thick cirrus to lower lying water clouds.     

毫米波雷达和激光雷达探测云边界的对比分析

为了探测云边界,采用毫米波雷达(MMCR)和微脉冲激光雷达(MPL)联合观测的方法,观测了层积云、高层云、高积云和卷积云个例,并对比分析了两部雷达探测到的云边界的差异。结果表明,通常MPL探测的云底高度高于MMCR;其中在高层云个例中,二者相差最大,其它个例中,差别较小;云粒子对毫米波电磁波和激光光束的散射机制的不同以及两个设备判定云边界方法的不同是差异产生的主要原因。对于云顶的小粒子和云内的小冰晶,MPL的探测能力强于MMCR;但对于发展深、厚的云层,MPL会因衰减的影响探测不到真实的云顶,而MMCR可以探测到完整的云层。     

A critical examination of the residual cloud contamination and diurnal sampling effects on MODIS estimates of aerosol over ocean

Observations of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments aboard Terra and Aqua satellites are being used extensively for applications to climate and air quality studies. Data quality is essential for these studies. Here we investigate the effects of unresolved clouds on the MODIS measurements of the AOT. The main cloud effect is from residual cirrus that increases the AOT by 0.015/spl plusmn/0.003 at 0.55 /spl mu/m. In addition, lower level clouds can add contamination. We examine the effect of lower clouds using the difference between simultaneously measured MODIS and AERONET AOT. The difference is positively correlated with the cloud fraction. However, interpretation of this difference is sensitive to the definition of cloud contamination versus aerosol growth. If we consider this consistent difference between MODIS and AERONET to be entirely due to cloud contamination we get a total cloud contamination of 0.025/spl plusmn/0.005, though a more likely estimate is closer to 0.020 after accounting for aerosol growth. This reduces the difference between MODIS-observed global aerosol optical thickness over the oceans and model simulations by half, from 0.04 to 0.02. However it is insignificant for studies of aerosol cloud interaction. We also examined how representative are the MODIS data of the diurnal average aerosol. Comparison to monthly averaged sunphotometer data confirms that either the Terra or Aqua estimate of global AOT is a valid representation of the daily average. Though in the vicinity of aerosol sources such as fires, we do not expect this to be true.     

Cloud Statistics Measured With the Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI)

The Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI) is a ground-based thermal infrared imaging system that measures spatial cloud statistics with a 320$,times,$240-pixel uncooled microbolometer detector array. Clouds are identified from the residual radiance that remains after water vapor emission is removed from radiometrically calibrated sky images (the water vapor correction relies on measurements of precipitable water vapor and near-surface air temperature). Cloud amount, the percentage of an ICI image containing clouds, is presented for data from Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) sites at Barrow, AK in February–April 2002, Lamont, OK in February–April 2003, and Barrow, AK in March–April 2004. In Oklahoma, the percent cloud cover determined from full ICI images was slightly higher than that found from a single-pixel time series, suggesting that cloudiness may be under sampled by vertically viewing lidars or radars under highly variable conditions. Full-image and single-pixel statistics agreed more closely for Arctic clouds, which tend to be uniform for long periods of time. Good agreement is found in comparing cloud amount from ICI and active remote sensors during day and night, but much worse agreement is found between ICI and the ARM Whole Sky Imager during nighttime relative to daytime, indicating the importance of the diurnally consistent ICI measurements.     

Aerosol-cloud interaction-Misclassification of MODIS clouds in heavy aerosol

The accuracy of the spaceborne Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud mask was evaluated for possible contamination by areas of heavy aerosol that may be misclassified as clouds. Analysis for several aerosol types shows that the cloud mask and products can be safely used in the presence of aerosol up to optical thickness of 0.6. Here we define as cloudy all MODIS 1-km (at nadir) pixels that were used to derive the cloud effective radius and optical thickness of water and ice clouds. The findings make it possible to study aerosol-cloud interaction from the MODIS aerosol and cloud products.     

Differences Between Collection 4 and 5 MODIS Ice Cloud Optical/Microphysical Products and Their Impact on Radiative Forcing Simulations

This paper reports on the comparison of two latest versions (collections 4 and 5) of ice cloud products derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) measurements. The differences between the bulk optical properties of ice clouds used in collections 4 and 5 and the relevant impact on simulating the correlation of the bidirectional reflection functions at two MODIS bands centered at 0.65 (or 0.86) and 2.13 mum are investigated. The level-3 MODIS ice cloud properties (specifically, ice cloud fraction, optical thickness, and effective particle size in this paper) from the collection 4 and 5 datasets are compared for a tropical belt of 30deg S-30deg N. Furthermore, the impact of the differences between the MODIS collection 4 and 5 ice cloud products on the simulation of the radiative forcing of these clouds is investigated. Over the tropics, the averaged ice cloud fraction from collection 5 is 1.1% more than the collection 4 counterpart, the averaged optical thickness from collection 5 is 1.2 larger than the collection 4 counterpart, and the averaged effective particle radius from collection 5 is 1.8 mum smaller than the collection 4 counterpart. Moreover, the magnitude of the differences between collection 5 and 4 ice cloud properties also depends on the surface characteristics, i.e., over land or over ocean. The differences of these two datasets (collections 4 and 5) of cloud properties can have a significant impact on the simulation of the radiative forcing of ice clouds. In terms of total (longwave plus shortwave) cloud radiative forcing, the differences between the collection 5 and 4 results are distributed primarily between -60 and 20 W ldr m^-2 but peak at 0 W ldr m^-2.     

利用星载激光雷达研究中国海及其周边海域的云层分布

利用2007~2010年4年间的CALIPSO 5 km二级云数据对中国海及其周边海域层数不同的云的出现概率（COF）随年度、月份和区域的变化进行了统计分析,并将2007年、2008年的部分统计结果与MODIS数据的统计结果相比较。结果表明：在研究区域,不同年份的层数相同的云的出现概率差别小于3%,且不同年份的出现概率区域分布相近,在靠近赤道的海域高于80%,在20°N附近海域低于50%,这与MODIS数据的统计结果相一致;同一年不同月份的出现概率差异明显,但是4年都是在6、7月出现最大值,层数相同的云的出现概率随纬度变化而明显变化。     

海洋上空云多角度偏振辐射阈值检测方法研究

云是海洋遥感的一项重要研究内容, 云检测精度对于海洋上空云微物理特性的反演和海洋水体观测具有重要 意义。以高分五号卫星搭载的大气气溶胶多角度偏振探测仪 (Directional polarimetric camera, DPC) 在轨成像数据为 研究对象, 提出了一种基于多角度偏振辐射信息的海洋上空云检测方法。首先用耀光角判别法区分出海洋耀光区域 和非耀光区域, 然后利用多角度偏振信息对耀光区域进行云检测, 并基于反射率阈值、可见近红外反射率比值和偏 振信息检验等方法对非耀光像元进行云检测。以印度洋和大西洋海域为例, 基于DPC数据进行了海洋上空云检测, 经 过时空匹配后, 其结果与 MODIS (Moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer) 云掩膜数据一致性分别为 91.39% 和 94.73%。此外, 用法国 POLDER3 (Polarization and directionality of the earth′s reflectances) 数据验证了文中算法的有效 性, 将云检测结果和 POLDER3 官方云检测产品对比, 一致性达到 90.40%。文中提出的多角度偏振辐射阈值云检测算 法, 可为卫星观测的海洋上空云特性研究和海洋水体观测提供有效云检测数据。     

国产卫星多角度偏振传感器的光谱特征云检测方法研究

在卫星遥感研究中, 云检测是基础环节, 其结果影响大气、地表各种参数的定量遥感, 同时也影响云微物理特 性的反演。本研究针对多角度偏振卫星载荷(高分五号DPC 传感器), 建立了一种改进的光谱特征云检测算法。该算 法综合利用云像元和非云像元在可见光反射率光谱、氧A 波段吸收、蓝光偏振反射率以及偏振虹等特性上的差异, 分别提出了陆地、海洋上空的云检测方案, 并进一步建立了多角度云检测融合策略以标记云、晴空和未定像元。在 陆地检测中, 通过增加表观压强检测和偏振虹检测分别改进了高层薄云和低层薄云的识别; 在海洋检测中, 利用表观 压强与云层的退偏特性改进了耀光区云像元的识别。全球云检测结果示例显示该算法整体检测效果较好, 同时典型 区域的检测结果与MODIS 云产品也具有较好的一致性。该研究可为高分五号02 星上的多角度偏振传感器云检测提 供方法基础。     

A Practical Method for Retrieving Land Surface Temperature From AMSR-E Over the Amazon Forest

Remote sensing of land surface temperature (LST) using infrared (IR) sensors, such as the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), is only capable of retrieval under clear-sky conditions. Such LST observations over tropical forests are very limited due to clouds and rainfall, particularly during the wet season and high atmospheric water-vapor content. In comparison, low-frequency microwave radiances are minimally influenced by meteorological conditions. Exploring this advantage, we have developed an algorithm to retrieve LST over the Amazonian forest. The algorithm uses multifrequency polarized microwave brightness temperatures from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer on NASA's Earth Observing System (AMSR-E). Relationships between polarization ratio and surface emissivity are established for forested and nonforested areas, such that LST can solely be calculated from microwave radiance. Results are presented over three time scales: at each orbit, daily, and monthly. Results are evaluated by comparing with available air-temperature records on daily and monthly intervals. Our findings indicate that the AMSR-E-derived LST agrees well with in situ measurements. Results during the wet season over the tropical forest suggest that the AMSR-E LST is robust under all-weather conditions and shows higher correlation to meteorological data (r = 0.70) than the IR-based LST approaches (r = 0.42).     

Spatial and Temporal Varying Thresholds for Cloud Detection in GOES Imagery

A new cloud detection technique has been developed and applied to GOES-12 Imager data. The bispectral composite threshold (BCT) technique uses only the 11- and 3.9- channels, and composite imagery generated from these channels, in a four-step cloud detection procedure to produce a binary cloud mask at single-pixel resolution. An innovative aspect of this algorithm is the use of 20-day composites of the 11- and the 11-3.9- channel difference imagery to represent spatially and temporally varying clear-sky thresholds for the bispectral cloud tests. The BCT cloud detection technique has been validated against a ldquotruthrdquo data set generated by the manual determination of the sky conditions from available satellite imagery for four seasons during 2003-2004. The day-and-night algorithm has been shown to determine the correct sky conditions 87.6% of the time (on average) over the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. and surroundings oceans. The incorrectly determined conditions arose from missing clouds 8.9% of the time or from overdetermining clouds 3.5% of the time. Nearly 82% of the misses came in the presence of low clouds. Only small variations in algorithm performance occurred between day-night, land-ocean, and between seasons. The algorithm performed best in the warmer seasons (90.9% correct during the summer versus 81.8% correct in the winter season) and during the day, when the solar illumination provides enhanced surface atmospheric cloud contrast in the infrared channels, and least well during the winter season. The algorithm was found to slightly underdetermine clouds at night and during times of low sun angle and tends to be cloud conservative during the day, particularly in the summertime.     

Optical thickness of tropical cirrus clouds derived from the MODIS 0.66and 1.375-/spl mu/m channels

In this paper, we introduce a method to retrieve the optical thickness of tropical cirrus clouds using the isolated visible cirrus reflectance (without atmospheric and surface effects). The isolated cirrus reflectance is inferred from level 1b calibrated 0.66- and 1.375-/spl mu/m Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. We created an optical properties database and optical thickness lookup library using previously calculated single-scattering data in conjunction with the discrete ordinates radiative transfer (DISORT) code. An algorithm was constructed based on this lookup library to infer the optical thickness of tropical cirrus clouds for each pixel in a MODIS image. We demonstrate the applicability of this algorithm using several independent MODIS images from the Terra satellite. The present method is complimentary to the MODIS operational cloud retrieval algorithm for the case of cirrus clouds.     

Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES): algorithmoverview

The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) is part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), CERES objectives include the following. (1) For climate change analysis, provide a continuation of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) record of radiative fluxes at the top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA), analyzed using the same techniques as the existing ERBE data. (2) Double the accuracy of estimates of radiative fluxes at TOA and the Earth's surface. (3) Provide the first long-term global estimates of the radiative fluxes within the Earth's atmosphere. (4) Provide cloud property estimates collocated in space and time that are consistent with the radiative fluxes from surface to TOA. In order to accomplish these goals, CERES uses data from a combination of spaceborne instruments: CERES scanners, which are an improved version of the ERBE broadband radiometers, and collocated cloud spectral imager data on the same spacecraft. The CERES cloud and radiative flux data products should prove extremely useful in advancing the understanding of cloud-radiation interactions, particularly cloud feedback effects on the Earth's radiation balance. For this reason, the CERES data should be fundamental to the ability to understand, detect, and predict global climate change. CERES results should also be very useful for studying regional climate changes associated with deforestation, desertification, anthropogenic aerosols, and ENSO events. This overview summarizes the Release 3 version of the planned CERES data products and data analysis algorithms. These algorithms are a prototype for the system that will produce the scientific data required for studying the role of clouds and radiation in the Earth's climate system     

The Effects of Scattering Angle and Cumulus Cloud Geometry on Satellite Retrievals of Cloud Droplet Effective Radius

The effect of scattering angle on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrievals of cloud drop effective radius is studied using ensembles of cumulus clouds with varying sun-satellite scattering geometries. The results are interpreted as shadowing and illumination effects. When 3-D clouds are viewed near the backscatter geometry, well-illuminated cloud surfaces are seen, and the retrievals based on plane-parallel geometry underestimate the effective radius. The reverse is true when the satellite is far from the backscatter position, and the shadowed portions of clouds are observed. The shadowing geometry produces a larger bias than the illuminated geometry. These differences between the shadowed and the illuminated ensembles decrease toward zero as the clouds become shallower. Removing the edge pixels based on 1-km-scale geometry partially reduces biases due to the 3-D effects and surface contamination. Recommendations are provided for reducing the 3-D cloud effects using current satellite retrieval algorithms     

利用MODIS数据对北极夏季卷云特性的研究

利用2011~2014年MODIS云产品数据对北极地区夏季卷云的出现概率、云顶温度、云顶高度、光学厚度、有效粒径大小进行统计分析,并讨论了北极地区夏季卷云有效粒径大小和卷云高度的关系。结果表明,北极地区上空夏季卷云出现概率最高,水云较少。卷云云顶温度主要分布在230~272 K(即-43~-5℃),其云顶高度主要在2~8 km,4.5~6 km出现概率最大。卷云的光学厚度主要在小于10范围内。卷云的有效粒径在5~40 m之间,10~20 m出现概率最大。卷云的有效粒径和高度的关系与中纬度地区相反,北极地区卷云高度越高,卷云有效粒径越大。北极地区卷云随着纬度增大,卷云出现概率增加,卷云云顶温度降低,卷云高度增加,卷云有效粒径增大,卷云光学厚度增大。     

基于高分五号DPC 氧气A 吸收波段的云顶压强反演

云顶压强可用于估计云高, 对气象观测和云特性研究等具有重要的作用。基于高分五号卫星搭载的多角度偏 振探测仪 (DPC) 在氧气 A 吸收带设置的 763 nm 和 765 nm 两个波段进行了云顶压强反演方法的研究。首先, 通过辐 射传输模拟和多项式拟合得到了大气压强的计算公式, 并对拟合公式进行了误差分析和校正。然后, 分析了气溶胶、 大气廓线等因素对云顶压强反演结果的影响, 并进一步利用晴空地表对反演方法进行了稳定性测试和原理性验证。 测试结果表明氧气 A 带方法稳定性较好, 可以适用于不同天气状况和观测角度; 验证结果表明 DPC 反演压强与 DEM 估算压强有很好的一致性, 地表压强的平均偏差约为 47.6 hPa。最后, 将 DPC 反演的云顶压强与 MODIS 云顶压强产 品 (MYD06) 进行了对比, 结果表明两颗卫星的云顶压强观测结果具有较好的空间一致性。     

Cloud and Rain Effects on AltiKa/SARAL Ka-Band Radar Altimeter—Part I: Modeling and Mean Annual Data Availability

The AltiKa project, developed by the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, is based on a wideband Ka-band altimeter (35.75 GHz). The technical characteristic of the instrument will offer higher performance both in terms of spatial and vertical resolutions that will lead to the improved observation of ice, coastal areas, inland waters, and wave height. An Indian Space Research Organization satellite, called Satellite with ARgos and AltiKa, will embark the AltiKa altimeter. The launch is scheduled at the end of 2010. The major drawback of Ka-band use is the attenuation of the radar signal by atmospheric liquid water. Clouds and rain effects will thus be a strong constraining factor, because the altimeter link budget imposes an attenuation of less than 3 dB. The impact of rain and clouds on Ka-band altimeter data is analyzed and quantified using an analytical model that computes AltiKa waveforms in the presence of rain or clouds. The results are then used to quantify the waveform attenuation and distortion, as well as the error induced on the altimeter geophysical parameter estimates. Because of the nonlinearity of attenuation relations, the impact of clouds/rain depends more on the cloud/rain variability within the altimeter footprint than on the mean characteristics, which makes correction using coincident rain or cloud data difficult. Small rain cell and small dense clouds can thus strongly distort the waveforms and lead to erroneous geophysical parameter estimates. The probability of 20 Hz and 1-s averaged data loss are computed from the model results and from cloud and rain climatologies. On a global scale, about 3.5% of the 20-Hz data will be lost because of rain and clouds and 2.5% of the 1-s averaged data. However, the probability strongly varies over the global ocean and can exceed 10% in the Tropics.      

基于MODIS云参数的卷云反射率计算研究

卷云反射率是天气、气候和地球能量平衡研究中关注的重要参数。卷云反射率的快速算法在遥感反演卷云特性参数中具有重要应用。依据卷云反射率随卷云光学厚度、有效尺度、太阳天顶角、观测天顶角、相对方位角等参数的变化,利用离散坐标法（Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer method,DISORT）计算卷云反射率,预先建立卷云反射率随相关参数变化的快速查找表,以此建立了卷云反射率的快速算法。将MODIS卫星探测的卷云光学厚度、太阳天顶角、观测天顶角、相对方位角等因素作为输入参数,计算得到了卷云反射率,比较了计算的卷云反射率和MODIS实际测量的卷云反射率值,相关系数达到0.94,平均偏差小于18.5%,说明了卷云快速算法计算合理可行。     

激光雷达探测合肥云层高度方法研究及分析

为了通过雷达回波信号廓线图准确确定云底、云峰、云顶高度,采用微分识别法着重分析了多峰时如何判别单层云和多层云,介绍了雷达结构系统,讨论了2008年5月期间合肥地区云层的高度、厚度、光学厚度的激光雷达探测结果,并进行了理论分析和实验验证。为验证方法的可行性,将雷达和芬兰Vaisala云高仪(探测距离0km～7km)对准同一片云,取得了实测数据,并进行了对比分析。结果表明,用微分法所得云高数据与Vaisala在7km以下较吻合,7km以上所测的卷云和SAGEⅡ所测的卷云高度基本一致,且实验所测合肥上空的高层卷云基本上都是薄卷云,云峰主要分布在9km～12km范围之内。这一结果对以后研究云层高度反演、并与卫星数据进行校验对比是有帮助的。