EOS Validation Program

Institution: NASA Data Assimilation Office
                    NASA Goddard Space Flight Cente
                    Code 613
                    Greenbelt, MD 20771
E-mail: atlas@dao.gsfc.nasa.gov

Joanna Joiner, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Ivanka Stajner, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Charles N. Long, Chuck.Long@pnl.gov

April 2004
March 2003

This research effort will conduct a detailed geophysical validation of AIRS data products, with the goal of improving the impact of AIRS data on both weather prediction and scientific investigations. Specific objectives include: (1)determining the accuracy and error characteristics of AIRS level 1B radiances, temperature and humidity retrievals, clouds and ozone, (2) determining the meteorological characteristics associated with reduced accuracy in AIRS data, (3) assessing the initial impact of AIRS data on atmospheric analyses and numerical weather prediction, (4) providing feedback to the AIRS Science Team to improve the AIRS data products, and (5) developing methodology to improve the utilization of AIRS data in atmospheric models. The validation will include: the generation of high resolution comparison data sets using ACARS and other available data; collocations of AIRS data with in situ observations and global and regional analyses; computation of radiance departures from both forecast and assimilated temperature, humidity, and ozone fields; synoptic evaluation of AIRS fields by highly skilled meteorological analysts; objective quality control using the high resolution GEOS data assimilation system (DAS); and data impact studies in which AIRS data are assimilated in both the GEOS and NCEP models. The above validation activities will be performed in close cooperation with AIRS Science Team members and with NCEP. It will provide timely feedback to the team to enable improvements to AIRS data products, and to improve the impact of AIRS on atmospheric analyses and weather forecasts.