Raman lidar calibration for the DMSP SSM/T-2 microwave water vapor sensor

Campaigns were conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, investigating Raman lidar as a method to improve calibration of the DMSP SSM/T-2 microwave water vapor profiling instrument. Lidar mixing ratios were calibrated against AIR and Vaisala radiosondes and the calibrati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on geoscience and remote sensing 2000-01, Vol.38 (1), p.141-154
Main Authors: Wessel, J., Beck, S.M., Chan, Y.C., Farley, R.W., Gelbwachs, J.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied geophysics
Atmospheric measurements
Calibration
Channels
Clouds
DMSP satellites
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Humidity measurement
Instruments
Internal geophysics
Laser radar
Lidar
Mathematical analysis
Microwave theory and techniques
Missiles
Relative humidity
Rough surfaces
Surface roughness
Water vapor
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Summary:Campaigns were conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, investigating Raman lidar as a method to improve calibration of the DMSP SSM/T-2 microwave water vapor profiling instrument. Lidar mixing ratios were calibrated against AIR and Vaisala radiosondes and the calibration was tested in the vicinity of clouds. Above 6 km, radiosondes reported anomalously low relative humidity in the vicinity of clouds. Lidar measurements were confirmed by using an electro-optical shutter, which provided correct measurement of relative humidity at cloud bases above 6 km. Radiative transfer calculations applied to the lidar data closely matched signals observed in the SSM/T-2 atmospheric channels. Forward calculations for surface sensitive channels disagreed with SSM/T-2 and SSM/I observations. Fine scale surface roughness and localized orographic drying are tentatively suggested as explanations. Cloud effects were ruled out as a significant source of discrepancy.
ISSN:0196-2892
1558-0644
DOI:10.1109/36.823908