Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere

In this paper we analyze the performance of the three MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) observation modes that sound the Upper-Troposphere/Lower-Stratosphere (UT/LS) region. The two-dimensional (2-D) tomographic retrieval approach is assumed to derive the atmospheric...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. Carlotti, E. Castelli, E. Papandrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-02-01
Series:Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Online Access:http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/4/355/2011/amt-4-355-2011.pdf
_version_ 1819138397165322240
author M. Carlotti
E. Castelli
E. Papandrea
author_facet M. Carlotti
E. Castelli
E. Papandrea
author_sort M. Carlotti
collection DOAJ
description In this paper we analyze the performance of the three MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) observation modes that sound the Upper-Troposphere/Lower-Stratosphere (UT/LS) region. The two-dimensional (2-D) tomographic retrieval approach is assumed to derive the atmospheric field of geophysical parameters. For each observation mode we have calculated the 2-D distribution of the <i>information load</i> quantifier relative to the main MIPAS targets. The performance of the observation modes has been evaluated in terms of strength and spatial coverage of the information-load distribution along the full orbit. The indications of the information-load analysis has been validated with simulated retrievals based on the observational parameters of real orbits. In the simulation studies we have assessed the precision and the spatial (both horizontal and vertical) resolution of the retrieval products. The performance of the three observation modes has been compared for the MIPAS main products in both the UT/LS and the extended altitude range. This study shows that the two observation modes that were specifically designed for the UT/LS region are actually competitive with the third one, designed for the whole stratosphere, up to altitudes that far exceed the UT/LS. In the UT/LS the performance of the two specific observation modes is comparable even if the best performance in terms of horizontal resolution is provided by the observation mode that was excluded by the European Space Agency (ESA) from the current MIPAS duty cycle. This paper reports the first application of the information-load analysis and highlights the worthiness of this approach to make qualitative considerations about retrieval potential and selection of retrieval grid.
first_indexed 2024-12-22T11:06:07Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5c9f5033ee34460db96e59bc4d8b2e38
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1867-1381
1867-8548
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-22T11:06:07Z
publishDate 2011-02-01
publisher Copernicus Publications
record_format Article
series Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
spelling doaj.art-5c9f5033ee34460db96e59bc4d8b2e382022-12-21T18:28:19ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482011-02-014235536510.5194/amt-4-355-2011Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphereM. CarlottiE. CastelliE. PapandreaIn this paper we analyze the performance of the three MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) observation modes that sound the Upper-Troposphere/Lower-Stratosphere (UT/LS) region. The two-dimensional (2-D) tomographic retrieval approach is assumed to derive the atmospheric field of geophysical parameters. For each observation mode we have calculated the 2-D distribution of the <i>information load</i> quantifier relative to the main MIPAS targets. The performance of the observation modes has been evaluated in terms of strength and spatial coverage of the information-load distribution along the full orbit. The indications of the information-load analysis has been validated with simulated retrievals based on the observational parameters of real orbits. In the simulation studies we have assessed the precision and the spatial (both horizontal and vertical) resolution of the retrieval products. The performance of the three observation modes has been compared for the MIPAS main products in both the UT/LS and the extended altitude range. This study shows that the two observation modes that were specifically designed for the UT/LS region are actually competitive with the third one, designed for the whole stratosphere, up to altitudes that far exceed the UT/LS. In the UT/LS the performance of the two specific observation modes is comparable even if the best performance in terms of horizontal resolution is provided by the observation mode that was excluded by the European Space Agency (ESA) from the current MIPAS duty cycle. This paper reports the first application of the information-load analysis and highlights the worthiness of this approach to make qualitative considerations about retrieval potential and selection of retrieval grid.http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/4/355/2011/amt-4-355-2011.pdf
spellingShingle M. Carlotti
E. Castelli
E. Papandrea
Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
title Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere
title_full Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere
title_fullStr Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere
title_full_unstemmed Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere
title_short Two-dimensional performance of MIPAS observation modes in the upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere
title_sort two dimensional performance of mipas observation modes in the upper troposphere lower stratosphere
url http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/4/355/2011/amt-4-355-2011.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT mcarlotti twodimensionalperformanceofmipasobservationmodesintheuppertropospherelowerstratosphere
AT ecastelli twodimensionalperformanceofmipasobservationmodesintheuppertropospherelowerstratosphere
AT epapandrea twodimensionalperformanceofmipasobservationmodesintheuppertropospherelowerstratosphere