Absolute, spectrally-resolved, thermal radiance: a benchmark for climate monitoring from space

Abstract Spectrally resolved thermal radiances measured from orbit with an accuracy in brightness temperature of 100 mK constitute a critical observation for climate monitoring. The design of a small, low-cost instrument capable of accuracies of better than 100 mK , demonstrated on-orbit, is presented and analyzed. It is shown that systematic and random errors inherent in observations from space can be reduced to levels commensurate with the instrumental accuracy of 100 mK . Monitoring spectrally resolved radiance, accurate to 100 mK , is feasible, and constitutes a versatile climate Benchmark observation that is needed in the national research strategy.

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