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Importance of aerosols in satellite‐derived estimates of surface shortwave irradiance over China
Author(s) -
Hayasaka Tadahiro,
Kawamoto Kazuaki,
Shi Guangyu,
Ohmura Atsumu
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2005gl025093
Subject(s) - pyranometer , shortwave , shortwave radiation , irradiance , environmental science , satellite , solar irradiance , atmospheric sciences , remote sensing , meteorology , radiative transfer , radiation , geography , geology , physics , optics , astronomy
Pyranometer measurements and two satellite‐derived data sets were used to evaluate surface downward shortwave irradiance over China. Compared to pyranometer measurements, the satellite‐derived data overestimated surface shortwave irradiance, particularly over large cities. These positive biases can be attributed to aerosols with absorptive properties; aerosols especially in the sub‐cloud layer impact surface shortwave irradiance determinations under cloudy conditions. Satellite‐derived radiation data sets are useful. However, aerosols strongly affect surface shortwave irradiance, creating discrepancies between satellite‐derived data and pyranometer measurements.