Product Accuracies
The AIRS Infrared Radiance data product is the most accurate and stable set of hyperspectral infrared radiance spectra measurements made in space to date.
The AIRS/AMSU/HSB suite of instruments constitutes an innovative atmospheric sounding system of infrared, microwave and visible sensors. The infrared radiance data product is stable to 10 mK/yr and accurate to better than 250 mK. This product is the most accurate and stable set of hyperspectral infrared radiance spectra measurements made in space to date, and its meets the criteria identified by the National Research Council for climate data records.
The geophysical products provide daily global temperature profiles at an accuracy of 1 K per 1 km thick layer in the troposphere and moisture profiles at an accuracy of 20% per 2 km thick layer in the lower troposphere (20%-60% in the upper troposphere). With the Version 5 release the L2 and L3 products also include the burden and profiles of the minor gases: O3, CO and CH4.
The accuracy of the temperature and humidity profiles derived from AIRS/AMSU/HSB is recognized as improving forecasts from meteorological prediction models. Researchers are using AIRS data products to validate climate models and to test their representations of critical climate feedbacks.
* Necessary Products are required to retrieve accurate temperature profiles (1K/km) in all conditions.
** Product not yet available in AIRS Level 2 Files. Products will be available in Version 6.
Validation Status Definitions (Common to all Aqua Instruments)
Stage 1: Validation Product accuracy has been estimated using a small number of independent measurements obtained from selected locations and time periods and ground-truth/field program effort.
Stage 2: Validation Product accuracy has been assessed over a widely distributed set of locations and time periods via several ground-truth and validation efforts.
Stage 3: Validation Product accuracy has been assessed, and the uncertainties in the product well-established via independent measurements made in a systematic and statistically robust way that represents global conditions.
