|
CERES CER_SSF_TRMM-SIM-VIRS_Edition2-VIRSonly |
Investigation: CERES
Data Product: Single Scanner Footprint TOA/Surface Fluxes and Clouds (SSF)
Data Set: TRMM (Instrument: VIRS)
Data Set Version: Edition2-VIRSonly
Data Set Caution: This data set is produced only during periods when the CERES TRMM instrument was turned off as a result of a voltage converter anomaly. It includes only a subset of the normal SSF parameters: specifically cloud, aerosol, and LW surface flux parameter estimates that do not require any CERES broadband radiance measurements. When the CERES TRMM instrument was operational, the normal CERES SSF data product is produced. (primarily January through August 1998 and March 2000). Cloud properties from CERES TRMM Edition2A and Edition2B SSF and CERES Edition2-VIRSonly SSF are directly comparable and use almost identical processing algorithms. Aerosol properties from CERES TRMM Edition2A SSF and CERES Edition2-VIRSonly SSF are also directly comparable, however the CERES Team recomends against using them. (See Aerosol Properties - Accuracy and Validation.)
The purpose of this document is to inform users of the accuracy of this data product as determined by the CERES Science Team. This document briefly summarizes key validation results, provides cautions where users might easily misinterpret the data, provides links to further information about the data product, algorithms, and accuracy, and gives information about planned data improvements. This document also automates registration in order to keep users informed of new validation results, cautions, or improved data sets as they become available.
This document is a high-level summary and represents the minimum information needed by scientific users of this data product. It is strongly suggested that authors, researchers, and reviewers of research papers re-check this document for the latest status before publication of any scientific papers using this data product.
This document discusses the Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) data set version Edition2-VIRSonly for TRMM. Additional information is in the Description/Abstract document. The files in this data product contain one hour of full and partial-Earth view measurements or footprints located in colatitude and longitude at a surface reference level.
The VIRSonly SSF data product is a subset of the normal CERES SSF product. It includes only those parameters that are derived using the TRMM VIRS imager, such as cloud, aerosol, and surface properties. It is produced for the periods of time that the CERES TRMM instrument was turned off because of a voltage converter anomaly. The only broadband flux estimates on this data product are for LW flux at the surface. The CERES field of view sampling pattern is simulated along the TRMM satellite orbit, so that the space/time sampling of the VIRSonly SSF data products are the same as the normal CERES SSF data product produced for January 1998 through August 1998 and for March 2000. The former period includes the peak and decay of the 1997/98 El Nino event. The later period includes overlap with the CERES instrument record on the Terra spacecraft which begins in March 2000, continues through 2001, and is expected to continue through the planned 6-year life of the Terra spacecraft. The reason for producing the VIRSonly SSF data product even when no CERES radiances or TOA fluxes are available, are several: a) there are no other TRMM VIRS cloud and aerosol data products available to the science community, b) the TRMM VIRS aerosol and cloud property data uniquely covers the entire diurnal cycle range over the TRMM 46 day orbit precession, c) the 1998 El Nino and following 1999 La Nina represent a key observation of major ENSO variability, and d) the CERES team had already developed all the algorithm and validation for the 1998 and 2000 TRMM VIRS data when the CERES instrument was operational, so that it was very simple and cost effective to extend this VIRSonly SSF data set over the entire TRMM time period.
For users unfamiliar with the normal CERES SSF data product, a description is included below.
The SSF is a unique product for studying the role of clouds, aerosols, and radiation in climate. Each CERES footprint (nadir resolution 10-km equivalent diameter) includes reflected shortwave (SW), emitted longwave (LW) and window (WN) radiances and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) fluxes from CERES with temporally and spatially coincident imager-based radiances, cloud properties, and aerosols (ocean only), and meteorological information from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Cloud properties are inferred from the Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS) imager, which flies along with CERES on the TRMM spacecraft. VIRS is a 5-channel, 2-km resolution, narrowband scanner operating in crosstrack mode. Surface fluxes derived from the CERES instrument using several different techniques (algorithms) are also provided.
CERES defines SW (shortwave or solar) and LW (longwave or thermal infrared) in terms of physical origin, rather than wavelength. We refer to the solar radiation that enters or exits the Earth-atmosphere system as SW. LW is the thermal radiant energy emitted by the Earth-atmosphere system. Emitted radiation that is subsequently scattered is still regarded as LW. Roughly 1% of the incoming SW is at wavelengths greater than 4 µm. Less than 1 W m-2 of the OLR is at wavelengths smaller than 4 µm. The CERES unfiltered window (WN) radiance and flux represent emitted thermal radiation over the 8.1 to 11.8 µm wavelength interval.
The SSF product combines the absolute calibration and stability advantages of the broadband CERES radiation data with the high spectral and spatial resolution VIRS imager-based cloud and aerosol properties. A major advantage of the SSF over the traditional ERBE-like ES-8 TOA flux data product is the new angular models derived from TRMM CERES Rotating Azimuth Plane data that now allow accurate radiative fluxes not only for monthly mean regional ensembles (ERBE-like capability) but also as a function of cloud type. For example, accurate fluxes can be obtained for both optically thin clouds as a class, as well as optically thick clouds. This is a result of new empirical CERES TRMM angular models that classify clouds by optical depth, cloud fraction, and water/ice classes. ERBE-like TOA fluxes are only corrected for simple clear, partly-cloudy, mostly-cloudy, and overcast classes. In addition, clear-sky identification and clear-sky fluxes are expected to be much improved over the ERBE-like equivalent, because of the use of the imager cloud mask, as well as the new angular models incorporating ocean wind speed and surface vegetation class. Finally, early estimates of surface radiative fluxes are given using relatively simple parameterizations applied to the SSF radiation and cloud parameters. These estimates strive for simplicity and as directly as possible use the TOA flux observations. More complex radiative transfer computations of surface and atmosphere fluxes using the SSF data and constrained to the observed SSF TOA fluxes will be provided on the CERES CRS Data Product. Expected delivery of the TRMM validated CRS product is February 2002.
All CERES footprints containing one or more VIRS imager pixels are included on the SSF product. Since the VIRS imager can only scan to a maximum viewing zenith angle (VZA) of ~48°, this means that only CERES footprints with VZA < 49° are retained on the SSF when CERES is in the crosstrack scan mode. When CERES is scanning in either the Rotating Azimuth Plane (RAP) or the alongtrack scan mode, CERES footprints with VZA > 49° do appear on this product, provided they lie within the VIRS swath. The nominal CERES-TRMM operation cycle is two days of crosstrack followed by one day of RAP. Every fifth cycle, the RAP scan may be replaced by an alongtrack scan. To determine operations on any given day, refer to the CERES Operations in Orbit.
A full list of parameters on the SSF is contained in the SSF section of the CERES Data Products Catalog (PostScript) and a full definition of each parameter is contained in the SSF Collection Guide.
When referring to a CERES data set, please include the satellite name and/or the CERES instrument name, the data set version, and the data product. Multiple files that are identical in all aspects of the filename except for the 6 digit configuration code (see SSF Collection Guide) differ little, if any, scientifically. Users may, therefore, analyze data from the same satellite/instrument, data set version, and data product without regard to configuration code. This data set may be referred to as "CERES TRMM Edition2-VIRSonly SSF."
There are several cautions the CERES Science Team notes regarding the use of CERES-TRMM SSF Edition2-VIRSonly data:
With a few exceptions, the CERES TRMM-PFM instrument was not operational after August 1998. Using the TRMM ephemeris and attitude data and simulating the TRMM-PFM crosstrack scan pattern, the CERES team generated CERES footprint geolocation parameters. These geolocation parameters are representative of those generated during actual instrument operations, allowing the CERES team to continue processing the SSF for longer term analysis. CERES radiometric measurements are not simulated.
Users may treat this data set as a continuation of the CERES TRMM Edition2A SSF data set for cloud, aerosol, and LW Model B surface flux studies.
Before using SSF parameter values, users should check for CERES default values. CERES default values, or fill values, are very large values which vary by data type. (See SSF Collection Guide.) A CERES default value is used when the parameter value is unavailable or considered suspect. SSF-1 through SSF-24 always contain valid parameter values and, therefore, need not be checked for default values. All other parameter values should be checked.
All CERES broadband measurements and all CERES parameters based on those broadband measurements are set to CERES default. Parameters set to CERES default include filtered radiances (SSF-31 to SSF-33), unfiltered radiances (SSF-35 to SSF-37), TOA fluxes (SSF-38 to SSF-40), and surface fluxes (SSF-41 to SSF-46, SSF-48).
This SSF contains all CERES footprints with at least one imager pixel of coverage, even if that pixel could not be identified as clear or cloudy. This approach reduces regional biases in fluxes, but it puts more burden on the users to screen footprints according to their needs. For example, if one wants to relate CERES fluxes with imager-derived cloud properties (e.g. cloud fraction), it is very important to check SSF-54, "Imager percent coverage" (i.e., the percentage of the CERES footprint which could be identified as clear or cloudy). When none of the imager pixels within the footprint could be identified as clear or cloudy, the "imager percent coverage" is set to 0 and most imager derived SSF parameters are set to CERES default values. The SSF also contains a new flag that provides information on how much of the footprint contains pixels which could not be identified as clear or cloudy. This flag is referred to as "Unknown cloud-mask" and resides in SSF-64, "Notes on general procedures." Footprints with VZA greater than 80° and less than 100% imager coverage may be partial Earth-view. Consult SSF-34, "Radiance and Mode flags," to determine whether the footprint is full Earth-view or not. (See SSF Collection Guide.)
There are cases where the cloud properties cannot be determined for an imager pixel that is cloudy at a high confidence level. These pixels are included in the area coverage calculations. The cloud layer areas are proportionately adjusted to reflect the contribution these pixels would have made, but the cloud properties for each layer are not adjusted. The amount of extrapolation can be determined by checking SSF-63, "Cloud property extrapolation over cloud area." (See SSF Collection Guide.)
Users interested in surface type should always examine both SSF-25, "Surface type index," and SSF-26, "Surface type percent coverage." (See SSF Collection Guide.)
A footprint is recorded in the hourly SSF file that contains its observation time. However, SSF footprints within the file are ordered on alongtrack angle, SSF-18, and not on time. The alongtrack angle of the satellite is defined to be 0° at the start of the hour. If the instrument is in the RAP or alongtrack scan mode, then footprints can be prior to this start position and yield a negative alongtrack angle.
Cloud parameters are saved by cloud layer. Up to two cloud layers may be recorded within a CERES footprint. The heights of the layers will vary from one footprint to another. When there is a single layer within the footprint, it is defined as the lower layer, regardless of its height. A second, or upper, layer is defined only when a footprint contains two unique layers. It is possible to have two unique cirrus layers or two unique layers below 4 km. Within an SSF file, the lower layer of one footprint may be much higher than the upper layer of another footprint.
Night and near-terminator cloud properties - The current method for deriving cloud phase, particle size, and optical depth at night has not been fully tested. It has been implemented primarily to improve the nocturnal determination of cloud effective height for optically thin clouds (τ < 5) and is generally effective at retrieving more accurate cloud heights compared to assuming that all clouds act as blackbody radiators at night. (See Cloud Properties Accuracy and Validation.) Because an accurate optical depth is required to obtain the proper altitude correction, the optical depths for optically thin clouds are considered reasonable.
Near-terminator cloud amounts - The cloud mask relies heavily on the brightness temperature differences between channels 3 (3.7 µm) and 4 (10.8 µm) for identifying clouds at night (using 3.7-µm emittance) and in the daytime (using 3.7-µm reflectance). The signals differ between night and day for low clouds. For large solar zenith angles (> 80°), the emittance and reflectance signals can cancel each other resulting in low clouds mistaken as clear areas when the cloud temperature is close to or warmer than the clear-sky temperature.
Heavy aerosols - Aerosols with relatively large optical depths can sometimes be misidentified as clouds over any surface. Thus, in areas known to experience large dust outbreaks, such as large deserts or adjacent ocean areas, caution should be used when interpreting cloud statistics.
Optical depths over snow - Cloud optical depth in Edition2 is derived from the channel 1 reflectance. Over highly reflective snow areas, the retrieved optical depth is particularly sensitive to small changes in optical depth or to slight variations in the surface reflectance. In general, the optical depths will be overestimated in snow covered regions using the Edition2 algorithm.
Multi-layered/mixed-phase cloud properties - CERES recognizes that, at the imager pixel scale, multilayer clouds are difficult to resolve with passive techniques. Thus, all clouds are treated as single phase, single-layer clouds in the retrievals. Mixed phase cloud pixels are interpreted as either entirely liquid or ice clouds depending on the relative amounts of each phase in the top of a particular cloud. Overlapped ice and water cloud pixels are interpreted in a similar fashion depending on the optical thickness and particle size of the overlying cloud. If it is very thin, the cloud is usually classified as liquid. Thicker ice clouds over liquid clouds are classified as ice. The resulting ice particle size for the thicker clouds should be representative of the ice cloud, but is often too small for the thinner clouds. Mixed phase or overlapped thin-ice-over-thick-water clouds will produce either a liquid water effective radius that is too large for the water droplets in the cloud or too small for the ice crystals in the cloud because the 3.7-µm reflectances for the ice and water particles overlap at the low and high end, respectively. Users will need to use some contextual, temperature, or variability indicators to determine if a particular SSF cloud layer contains both ice and water clouds even if phase index for the footprint is 1 (water) or 2 (ice). Cloud heights for multi-layered clouds will also be in error if the upper cloud deck is optically thin. The retrieved cloud altitude will be between the height of the lower and the upper clouds.
"Mean cloud infrared emissivity for cloud layer," SSF-87, is an effective emissivity. Therefore, values greater than 1.0 may occur as a result of IR scattering within the cloud.
The dependent-channel aerosol algorithm was used for TRMM SSF Edition2-VIRSonly processing of visible and near-IR aerosol optical depths (SSF-73 and SSF-74. It was found later that VIRS channel 2 is strongly contaminated by thermal leak, and that the dependent-channel algorithm propagates this error into well-behaved channel 1. The decision was made to make retrievals from the VIRS channels independently, and TRMM SSF Edition2B was processed accordingly. However, Edition2-VIRSonly aerosol data have not been reprocessed, and their use is not recommended.
SSF parameters SSF-73 and SSF-74 ("Total aerosol A optical depth - visible and near infrared") were calculated incorrectly in files with configuration code 019015. The aerosol retrieval algorithm accidentally used the CERES relative azimuth angle (SSF-22, "CERES relative azimuth at surface") instead of the VIRS relative azimuth angle (SSF-56, "Imager relative azimuth over CERES FOV") to determine these parameters. Consequently, instantaneous values of the aerosol A optical depth can have errors of up to several hundred percent. The hourly mean values show a relative bias of less than one percent, however. For the 0.63 µm channel, the relative bias is generally negative for hourly means less than 0.14, and positive when hourly means exceed 0.14. For the 1.6 µm channel, the relative bias is generally negative for hourly means less than 0.08, and positive when hourly means exceed 0.08. The mean relative absolute error is less than one percent for the 0.63 µm channel and less than 0.6 percent for the 1.60 µm channel. The standard deviation of the error occasionally exceeds one percent of the mean for some hours.
SSF parameters SSF-73 and SSF-74 ("Total aerosol A optical depth - visible and near infrared") have been computed correctly in files with configuration codes higher than 019015.
Visible aerosol optical depth, SSF-73, is somewhat high compared with AVHRR (~ 0.02 to 0.04). This high bias may be the result of cloud contamination, particularly from cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds absorb at 1.6 µm, but scatter at 0.63 µm. Thus, they should affect aerosol optical depth retrievals more strongly in the visible channel than in the near-IR channel of VIRS. Histograms of aerosol optical depth for large regions of the ocean show more log-normal distributions in the near-IR than in the visible, supporting this hypothesis.
Near-IR aerosol optical depth, SSF-74, may be in error during certain periods of time (e.g. 04-12 Feb 1998). The VIRS offset for level 0 data is varying due to thermal changes of the Near-IR detector plane and cannot always be accurately predicted. In the future, a link to a web page listing the periods during which near-IR aerosol optical depth may be in error will be provided.
Visible and near-IR aerosol optical depths (SSF-73 and SSF-74) are retrieved only over ocean. For a discussion of which pixels are used, refer to Aerosol Properties - Accuracy and Validation.
Longwave Model B surface fluxes (SSF-47 and SS-49) are based on the imager narrowband radiances and are, therefore, the only surface fluxes available in this data set. Longwave Model B surface fluxes are available for all-sky.
CERES downward LW surface flux - Model B (SSF-47) and CERES net LW surface flux - Model B (SSF-49) were found to be incorrectly computed in a small number of cloudy cases. This happens for those footprints where the cloud amounts are retrieved in one or two layers but corresponding cloud-base heights (Mean cloud base pressure for cloud layer; SSF-101) are not retrieved by the processing system. When this occurs, the system assigns a CERES default value to the cloud-base pressures. The LW Model B then specifies a value for the missing cloud-base pressure of 700 hPa in the single layer case, or 800 hPa for the lower layer or 500 hPa for the upper layer in the two layer case. The incorrect computation occurs in regions of high surface altitude (Altitude of surface above sea level; SSF-24) where surface pressure is less than the above specified cloud-base pressures. This was observed to have occurred in a number of cases over Tibetan region. Users are warned to exercise caution when using LW Model B fluxes over high altitude regions.
Accuracy and validation discussions are organized into sections. Cloud properties, aerosol properties, spatial matching, and the LW model B surface fluxes for the CERES-TRMM Edition2-VIRSonly SSF data set are identical to CERES-TRMM Edition2A SSF. Therefore, the CERES-TRMM Edition2A discussions are relevant and provided as links.
Please read those sections which correspond to parameters of interest
At this time, the CERES Team has no plans to reprocess this data set.
The CERES Team has gone to considerable trouble to remove major errors and to verify the quality and accuracy of these data. Please provide a reference to the following paper when you publish scientific results with the data:
Wielicki, B. A., B. R. Barkstrom, E. F. Harrison, R. B. Lee III, G. L. Smith, and J. E. Cooper, 1996: Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES): An Earth Observing System Experiment, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 77, 853-868.
When data from the Langley Data Center are used in a publication, we request the following acknowledgment be included:
"These data were obtained from the Atmospheric Science Data Center at the NASA Langley Research Center."
The Atmospheric Science Data Center at Langley requests a reprint of any published papers or reports or a brief description of other uses (e.g., posters, oral presentations, etc.) of data that we have distributed. This will help us determine the use of data that we distribute, which is important for optimizing product development. It also helps us to keep our product-related references current.
For questions or comments on the CERES Quality Summary, contact the User and Data Services staff at the Atmospheric Science Data Center.
