Abstract
This workshop will focus on the topic of remote sounding of the Earth’s atmosphere using modern space-borne hyperspectral infrared (e.g., AIRS, IASI, CrIS) and microwave (e.g., AMSU, MHS, ATMS) instruments to extract information about the Earth’s atmosphere. This workshop will have three major sections. The first section will be a conceptual introduction to the mathematical methods of sounding, that is, radiative transfer and inversion (a.k.a. retrieval) of observations. The 2nd section will highlight the NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) and the Community Long-term Infrared Microwave Coupled Atmospheric Product System (CLIMCAPS) to illustrate the value and limitations of modern operational products and our ability to validate and utilize them. The 3rd section will focus on the lessons-learned over the last decade and some thoughts on a path forward for new sounding instruments and capabilities. The over-arching goal of this workshop is to stimulate discussion on how we, as a community, can improve the use of sounding for greater societal benefit. Each section will consist of a ~30 minute presentation followed by ~30 minutes of discussion.
Current Challenges in the Remote Sounding of the Earth
This workshop will focus on the topic of remote sounding of the Earth’s atmosphere using modern space-borne hyperspectral infrared (e.g., AIRS, IASI, CrIS) and microwave (e.g., AMSU, MHS, ATMS) instruments to extract information about the Earth’s atmosphere. This workshop will have three major sections. The first section will be a conceptual introduction to the mathematical methods of sounding, that is, radiative transfer and inversion (a.k.a. retrieval) of observations. The 2nd section will highlight the NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) and the Community Long-term Infrared Microwave Coupled Atmospheric Product System (CLIMCAPS) to illustrate the value and limitations of modern operational products and our ability to validate and utilize them. The 3rd section will focus on the lessons-learned over the last decade and some thoughts on a path forward for new sounding instruments and capabilities. The over-arching goal of this workshop is to stimulate discussion on how we, as a community, can improve the use of sounding for greater societal benefit. Each section will consist of a ~30 minute presentation followed by ~30 minutes of discussion.