The surface emissivity effect on the thermodynamic parameters (e.g., the surface skin temperature, atmospheric temperature, and moisture) retrieved from satellite infrared (IR) spectral radiance is studied. Simulation analysis demonstrates that surface emissivity plays an important role in retrieval of surface skin temperature and terrestrial boundary layer (TBL) moisture. NAST-I ultraspectral data collected during the CLAMS field campaign are used to retrieve thermodynamic properties of the atmosphere and surface. The retrievals are then validated by coincident in-situ measurements, such as sea surface temperature, radiosonde temperature and moisture profiles. Retrieved surface emissivity is also validated by that computed from the observed radiance and calculated emissions based on the retrievals of surface temperature and atmospheric profiles. In addition, retrieved surface skin temperature and emissivity are validated together by radiance comparison between the observation and retrieval-based calculation in the "window" region where atmospheric contribution is minimized. Both simulation and validation results have lead to the conclusion that variable surface emissivity in the inversion process is needed to obtain accurate retrievals from satellite IR spectral radiance measurements. Retrieval examples are presented to reveal that surface emissivity plays a significant role in retrieving accurate surface skin temperature and TBL thermodynamic parameters.

Date Published: 1 December 2006
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 6405, Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Remote Sensing Technology, Techniques, and Applications, 64051H (1 December 2006); doi: 10.1117/12.694283

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6405:
Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultraspectral Remote Sensing Technology, Techniques, and Applications
William L. Smith Sr.; Allen M. Larar; Tadao Aoki; Ram Rattan, Editor(s)