GACP Projects
Characterization of Aerosol Radiative Impacts Using Data from LITE
David M. Winker, Principal Investigator
Robert T. Menzies, Co-PI
Required input data for this study: LITE Level 1 data, TOMS aerosol index data, data on aerosol optical and physical properties
Planned output: worldwide profiles of aerosol extinction and backscatter cross-section; aerosol optical depth: boundary layer, free troposphere, and total column; boundary layer height. Statistical analysis of this data and intercomparisons with models and other instruments.
Proposal Abstract: In September 1994 the LITE instrument was flown on Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-64 mission. During this mission, LITE acquired a unique set of near-global observations of the geographic and vertical distribution of aerosols and clouds. Correlative surface and airborne measurements acquired during the mission provide a complementary data to validate LITE retrievals and to relate the LITE data to aerosol loading and composition. The 3D spatial distribution of aerosol and clouds from LITE provides important constraints for estimates of aerosol radiative forcing deduced from other satellite observations and from models. Information on the distribution and variability of aerosol based on this set of worldwide lidar observations will allow an assessment of the uncertainties in aerosol products from existing and future satellite missions. It will also result in algorithms which can be applied to future satellite lidar aerosol measurements.
Under this proposal, we will (1) process LITE Level 1 data to derive tropospheric aerosol optical depth, as well as other optical parameters, and then validate those parameters; (2) compare LITE aerosol data with coincident TOMS aerosol index data; (3) statistically characterize the spatial variability of the aerosol observed by LITE; (4) use LITE aerosol data to assess the performance of wind-driven models of the marine boundary layer aerosol and the radiative effects of elevated layers. Data products and results from this effort will be made available to other members of the investigative team.
