The Goddard DISC generated products derived from AIRS/AMSU-A observations, starting from September 2002 when the AIRS instrument became stable, using the AIRS Science Team Version-5 retrieval algorithm. The AIRS Science Team Version-6 retrieval algorithm became operational at the Goddard DISC in late 2012. This paper describes some of the significant improvements in retrieval methodology contained in the Version-6 retrieval algorithm, compared to that used in Version-5. In particular, the Science Team made major changes with regard to the algorithms used to 1) derive surface skin temperature and surface spectral emissivity; 2) generate the initial state used to start the cloud clearing and retrieval procedures; and 3) determine Quality Control. This paper describes these advances found in the AIRS Version- 6 retrieval algorithm and demonstrates the improvements of some AIRS Version-6 products compared to those obtained using Version-5.

Date Published: 15 October 2012
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 8510, Earth Observing Systems XVII, 85100U (15 October 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.929953

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8510:
Earth Observing Systems XVII
James J. Butler; Xiaoxiong Xiong; Xingfa Gu, Editor(s)