Characterization of model errors in the calculation of tangent heights for atmospheric infrared limb measurements

Year: 2014

Authors: Ridolfi M., Sgheri L.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Bologna, Dipartimento Fis & Astron, Bologna, Italy
CNR, Ist Fis Applicata Carrara, Florence, Italy
CNR, Ist Applicaz Calcolo, Florence, Italy

Abstract: We review the main factors driving the calculation of the tangent height of spaceborne limb measurements: the ray-tracing method, the refractive index model and the assumed atmosphere. We find that commonly used ray tracing and refraction models are very accurate, at least in the mid-infrared. The factor with largest effect in the tangent height calculation is the assumed atmosphere. Using a climatological model in place of the real atmosphere may cause tangent height errors up to +/- 200 m. Depending on the adopted retrieval scheme, these errors may have a significant impact on the derived profiles.

Journal/Review: ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

Volume: 7 (12)      Pages from: 4117  to: 4122

More Information: This study was supported by the ESA-ESRIN contract 21719/08/I-OL.
KeyWords: MIPAS; AIR
DOI: 10.5194/amt-7-4117-2014

Citations: 2
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