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Spaceborne Middle‐ and Far‐Infrared Observations Improving Nighttime Ice Cloud Property Retrievals
Author(s) -
Saito Masanori,
Yang Ping,
Huang Xianglei,
Brindley Helen E.,
Mlynczak Martin G.,
Kahn Brian H.
Publication year - 2020
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 - 10.1029/2020gl087491
Subject(s) - subpixel rendering , cloud computing , effective radius , ice cloud , remote sensing , environmental science , cloud fraction , infrared , meteorology , computer science , geology , optics , physics , cloud cover , astronomy , artificial intelligence , pixel , galaxy , operating system
Two upcoming missions are scheduled to provide novel spaceborne observations of upwelling far‐infrared spectra. In this study, the accuracy of ice cloud property retrievals using spaceborne middle‐to‐far‐infrared (MIR‐FIR) measurements is examined toward a better understanding of retrieval biases and uncertainties. Theoretical sensitivity studies demonstrate that the MIR‐FIR spectra are sensitive to ice cloud properties, thereby providing a robust means for retrieving cloud properties under nighttime conditions. However, the temperature dependence of the ice refractive index and relevant ice particle shape models need to be incorporated into the retrieval procedure to avoid systematic biases in inferring cloud optical thickness and effective particle radius. Furthermore, prior information of subpixel cloud fractions is essential to mitigation of substantial systematic retrieval biases due to inconsistent subpixel cloud fractions.