Two workshops took place during the first week of March, 1998, at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, a graduate school of the University of Miami which is located on a 16-acre campus on the small island of Virginia Key to the east of Miami. The workshops were focused on the use of radiometric measurements to provide accurate validation of surface temperatures retrieved from spacecraft instruments. The first, a comparison of instruments (radiometers and black-body calibration targets) and measurement techniques, will brought together researchers from around the world.
In conjunction with this instrument workshop a joint RSMAS-CEOS workshop was held to lay the foundations for coordinated validation of surface temperatures retrieved from the measurements from the current and anticipated suite of new infrared radiometers.
The purpose of this was to provide a framework in which investigators using infrared radiometers, spectrometers and imaging devices can come together to compare instruments, calibration targets, and measurement protocols. This is to ensure consistent and accurate data sets for future use in validating infrared retrievals of surface temperature from current and future satellite measurements. These radiometers and spectroradiometers will have applications in the validation of surface temperatures over land as well as oceans.
An instrument platform has been constructed on the roof of the Marine Science Center at RSMAS to support a range of remote sensing and meteorological instruments. A ~15m (47 ft) high meteorological tower is located on the roof next to the instrument platform. This tower supports wind speed and direction sensors at two or more levels, sensors for air temperature and humidity, and hemispheric radiometers for downwelling long- and short- wave radiation. Floats in the water in front of the building provided a near-surface in situ surface temperature.
A Marine-Atmosphere Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI) was on the rooftop platformand a second M-AERI was used in the laboratory for comparative measurements with black-body calibration targets The nitial results of the lab measurements are available on a web page prepared by Bob Knuteson at SSEC, U. Wisconsin.
A list of instruments at the workshop is available (please provide updates as needed).
A timetable was proposed, and agreed upon, to set the framework for the analysis of the radiometer and black-body data. The owner or operator of each black-body target is to act as the coordinator for measuremnts taken of that target, and the owner-operator of the radiometers should ensure that data files of their measurements are available to the cordinator by April 20. Data and digests should be delivered to Peter Minnett at RSMAS by May 5, and he will provide acces to these through this web page.
The responsible coordinators are :
NIST black body measurements -- Carol Johnson and Jim Butler .
APL black body measurements -- Andy Jessup
CASOTS black body measurements -- Craig Donlon
JPL-ASTER black body measurements -- Frank Palluconi
CSIRO black body measurements -- Ian Barton
Rooftop measurements -- Peter Minnett
All participants who took measurements of the NIST target are requested to fill out the form giving details of their instruments.
The article written by Bob Kannenberg for the Earth Observer is now available and will be published soon
The aim of the validation workshop was to provide a forum in which the various groups involved in the validation of satellite measurements of surface temperature can coordinate activities to maximize the potential of field opportunities and to avoid unnecessary duplications of effort. Many groups have complimentary suites of instruments and would benefit from closer cooperation and others have complimentary deployment areas and would benefit from improved liaison, communication and data exchange. This workshop offered the opportunity for the presentation of plans, measurement schemes and aspirations for collaboration. The subject matter encompassed both current and planned spacecraft instruments. These include MODIS, AVHRR-2, AVHRR-3, ATSR-2, AATSR and GLI. This meeting was chaired by Dr. Ian Barton (CSIRO).
Minutes of the meeting, together with Action Items, are available here.
As a result of these workshops a list of instrument vendors is being compiled.