AIRS

Frequently Asked Questions


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Q.  Is the resolution of AIRX2RET and AIRI2CCF 50km*50km or 45km*45km at
nadir? Is it larger away from nadir?  

A.  The AIRS suite of instruments are cross-track scanners, whose maximum
scan angle is approximately 49.5 degrees. Thus the footprint size on
the surface of the Earth increases with scan angle due to projection.

The L1B nadir FOV is that of the instruments. In the case of AMSU-A
that is about 45 km in diameter. In the case of AIRS and HSB, that is
about 15 km in diameter.

The L2 data products are all at the resolution of AMSU-A, since we use
a 3x3 array of AIRS measurements in conjunction with the AMSU
measurements to cloud-clear. Thus all L2 data are reported at the
AMSU-A resolution on the surface of the Earth.

The L3 data products are binned at 1deg x 1deg resolution.

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