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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1999

Global Mapping of Underwater UV Irradiances and DNA-Weighted Exposures using TOMS and SeaWiFS Data Products

The global stratospheric ozone-layer depletion results In an increase in biologically harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the surface and penetrating to ecologically significant depths in natural waters. Such an increase can be estimated on a global scale by combining satellite estimates of UV irradiance at the ocean surface from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite instrument with the SeaWIFS satellite ocean-color measurements in the visible spectral region. In this paper we propose a model of seawater optical properties in the UV spectral region based on the Case I water model in the visible range. The inputs to the model are standard monthly SeaWiFS products: chlorophyll concentration and the diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490nm. Penetration of solar UV radiation to different depths in open ocean waters is calculated using the RT (radiative transfer) quasi-single scattering approximation (QSSA). The accuracy of the QSSA approximation in the water is tested using more accurate codes. The sensitivity study of the underwater UV irradiance to atmospheric and oceanic optical properties have shown that the main environmental parameters controlling the absolute levels of the UVB (280-320nm) and DNA-weighted irradiance underwater are: solar-zenith angle, cloud transmittance, water optical properties, and total ozone. Weekly maps of underwater UV irradiance and DNA-weighted exposure are calculated using monthly-mean SeaWiFS chlorophyll and diffuse attenuation coefficient products, daily SeaWiFS cloud fraction data, and the TOMS-derived surface UV irradiance daily maps. The final products include global maps of weekly-average UVB irradiance and DNA-weighted daily exposures at 3m and 10m, and depths where the UVB irradiance and DNA-weighted dose rate at local noon are equal to 10% of their surface values.

Vasilkov, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS2012

Comparative Mineralogy, Microstructure and Compositional Trends in the Sub-Micron Size Fractions of Mare and Highland Lunar Soils

The morphology, mineralogy, chemical composition and optical properties of lunar soils show distinct correlations as a function of grain size and origin [1,2,3]. In the <20 m size fraction, there is an increased correlation between lunar surface properties observed through remote sensing techniques and those attributed to space weathering phenomenae [1,2]. Despite the establishment of recognizable trends in lunar grains <20 in size [1,2,3], the size fraction < 10 m is characterized as a collective population of grains without subdivision. This investigation focuses specifically on grains in the <1 m diameter size fraction for both highland and mare derived soils. The properties of these materials provide the focus for many aspects of lunar research including the nature of space weathering on surface properties, electrostatic grain transport [4,5] and dusty plasmas [5]. In this study, we have used analytical transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) to characterize the mineralogy type, microstructure and major element compositions of grains in this important size range in lunar soils.

Thompson, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Non-Causal Controller Approximation Methodology Augmented with Model Reference Control – Robust Design

This paper describes the development of a new control design methodology based on a non-causal controller structure and its approximation. The non-causal controller design is based on a loop shaping approach. Partial fraction decomposition is used, along with derivative approximations, to derive a proper transfer function design for a causal control structure. The premise for this non-causal control methodology is that the phase delay as a function of frequency ideally remains within approximately -90o, which tends to make the system robustly stable to uncertainties in the plant dynamics. To have a predictable control system response in lieu of the tolerance of this methodology to relatively large uncertainty in the plant dynamics, the approach is augmented with model reference control. The addition of model reference control can potentially further enhance the robustness of the design. A control system design example is presented in this paper, along with simulation results, to demonstrate the high degree of robustness of this non-causal methodology and its augmentation.

Control Systems↗
NASA NTRS1974

Oxygen isotopic constraints on the composition of the moon

The mean oxygen isotopic composition of 5 Apollo 17 soils, one Apollo 17 breccia and one Apollo 12 soil is delta O-18 = 5.63 + or - .05 and delta O-17 = 3.8 + or - .2%. These values are within several tenths of a part permil of the composition of a large fraction of the lunar interior. High-temperature condensate aggregates from Allende and other C2 and C3 chondrites are vastly enriched in O-16 compared to this composition. The moon cannot be a mixture of ordinary chondrites and Allende inclusions, nor can it be derived from such a mixture by chemical fractionation processes. The moon's isotopic composition is consistent with a mixture of high- and low-temperature condensates but the refractory fraction would have to be free of the O-16-rich component so prevalent in the meteoritic aggregates, a fact which makes such models less attractive than they once seemed.

Grossman, L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Use of the BSRN Data as A Benchmark for the POWER Hourly DHI and DNI and In Validating Derived Hourly GTI

The satellite-based CERES SYN1deg hourly data is the source data of the POWER GIS solar data that covers 2001 to near present. The SYN1deg(Ed4.1) hourly GHI agrees well with the BSRN data, but the hourly DHI and DirHI (Direct Horizontal Irradiance) are positively and negatively, respectively, biased with appreciable magnitudes. The hourly DNI, derived by dividing the DirHI by cos(SZA), or the cosine of the solar zenith angle, is therefore negatively biased. Based on the statistics of comparisons with the BSRN data, we performed bias corrections on the hourly DHI and DNI. The corrections were executed in the 3-D phase space of latitude, cos(SZA), and cloud fraction (CLFR). The isotropic model is then used to derive the hourly global tilted irradiance (GTI). For validation purpose, we applied the isotropic model to the BSRN data at the original 1-, 2-, 3- or 5-minute interval. The satellite-based hourly GTI shows good agreement with their BSRN counterpart. We also examined two monthly-mean-based methods that empirically derive monthly mean GTI and DNI from monthly mean GHI and from both monthly mean GHI and DHI. The monthly-mean-based results compare favorably with the hourly-mean-based results. The GEWEX SRB (V4-IP) provides POWER with daily mean GHI for the years before the CERES era, and the data were corrected using quantile mapping by referencing the CERES SYN1deg data. We used the Kolmogorov -Smirnov test (K-S test) and Cramer-von Mises test to examine how well the results agree with the BSRN data. We found that if we set the lower limit for the daily mean GHI to 30 W m-2, the data can pass the K-S test at 0.01 significance level and the Cramer-von Mises test at 0.001 significance level. If no lower limit is set on the daily means, the data fail both tests. The satellite-based CERES SYN1deg hourly data is the source data of the POWER GIS solar data that covers 2001 to near present. The SYN1deg(Ed4.1) hourly GHI agrees well with the BSRN data, but the hourly DHI and DirHI (Direct Horizontal Irradiance) are positively and negatively, respectively, biased with appreciable magnitudes. The hourly DNI, derived by dividing the DirHI by cos(SZA), or the cosine of the solar zenith angle, is therefore negatively biased. Based on the statistics of comparisons with the BSRN data, we performed bias corrections on the hourly DHI and DNI. The corrections were executed in the 3-D phase space of latitude, cos(SZA), and cloud fraction (CLFR). The isotropic model is then used to derive the hourly global tilted irradiance (GTI). For validation purpose, we applied the isotropic model to the BSRN data at the original 1-, 2-, 3- or 5-minute interval. The satellite-based hourly GTI shows good agreement with their BSRN counterpart. We also examined two monthly-mean-based methods that empirically derive monthly mean GTI and DNI from monthly mean GHI and from both monthly mean GHI and DHI. The monthly-mean-based results compare favorably with the hourly-mean-based results. The GEWEX SRB (V4-IP) provides POWER with daily mean GHI for the years before the CERES era, and the data were corrected using quantile mapping by referencing the CERES SYN1deg data. We used the Kolmogorov -Smirnov test (K-S test) and Cramer-von Mises test to examine how well the results agree with the BSRN data. We found that if we set the lower limit for the daily mean GHI to 30 W m-2, the data can pass the K-S test at 0.01 significance level and the Cramer-von Mises test at 0.001 significance level. If no lower limit is set on the daily means, the data fail both tests.

Taiping Zhang↗
NASA NTRS2015

RACORO Continental Boundary Layer Cloud Investigations: 1. Case Study Development and Ensemble Large-Scale Forcings

Observation-based modeling case studies of continental boundary layer clouds have been developed to study cloudy boundary layers, aerosol influences upon them, and their representation in cloud- and global-scale models. Three 60 h case study periods span the temporal evolution of cumulus, stratiform, and drizzling boundary layer cloud systems, representing mixed and transitional states rather than idealized or canonical cases. Based on in situ measurements from the Routine AAF (Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Aerial Facility) CLOWD (Clouds with Low Optical Water Depth) Optical Radiative Observations (RACORO) field campaign and remote sensing observations, the cases are designed with a modular configuration to simplify use in large-eddy simulations (LES) and single-column models. Aircraft measurements of aerosol number size distribution are fit to lognormal functions for concise representation in models. Values of the aerosol hygroscopicity parameter, kappa, are derived from observations to be approximately 0.10, which are lower than the 0.3 typical over continents and suggestive of a large aerosol organic fraction. Ensemble large-scale forcing data sets are derived from the ARM variational analysis, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, and a multiscale data assimilation system. The forcings are assessed through comparison of measured bulk atmospheric and cloud properties to those computed in "trial" large-eddy simulations, where more efficient run times are enabled through modest reductions in grid resolution and domain size compared to the full-sized LES grid. Simulations capture many of the general features observed, but the state-of-the-art forcings were limited at representing details of cloud onset, and tight gradients and high-resolution transients of importance. Methods for improving the initial conditions and forcings are discussed. The cases developed are available to the general modeling community for studying continental boundary clouds.

Boundary layers↗
NASA NTRS1974

Micrometeoroid abrasion of lunar rocks - A Monte Carlo simulation

A Monte Carlo computer model simulating the randomness of the impact process both in space and in time is developed in order to provide insight into lunar rock erosion by single particle abrasion and into bombardment history of fractional surface areas of lunar rocks. Microcrater frequencies derived from lunar rocks are used to calculate magnitude and probability of each cratering event, and experimental cratering results are employed to determine the eroded volumina for individual crater sizes. It is shown that a fractional surface area of a lunar rock sample may have a completely different bombardment history, and that the exposure histories and actual erosion depths of the surfaces vary accordingly and are highly heterogeneous. A minimum erosion rate of 0.3 to 0.6 mm for the past one million years is obtained.

Hoerz, F.↗
NASA NTRS2019

The Lyα Luminosity Function and Cosmic Reionization at z ~ 7.0: A Tale of Two LAGER Fields

We present the largest-ever sample of 79 Lyα emitters (LAEs) at z ~ 7.0 selected in the COSMOS and CDFS fields of the LAGER project (the Lyman Alpha Galaxies in the Epoch of Reionization). Our newly amassed ultradeep narrowband exposure and deeper/wider broadband images have more than doubled the number of LAEs in COSMOS, and we have selected 30 LAEs in the second field CDFS. We detect two large-scale LAE-overdense regions in the COSMOS that are likely protoclusters at the highest redshift to date. We perform injection and recovery simulations to derive the sample incompleteness. We show that significant incompleteness comes from blending with foreground sources, which, however, has not been corrected in LAE luminosity functions (LFs) in the literature. The bright-end bump in the Lyα LF in COSMOS is confirmed with six (two newly selected) luminous LAEs (LLyα > 1043.3 erg s−1). Interestingly, the bump is absent in CDFS, in which only one luminous LAE is detected. Meanwhile, the faint-end LFs from the two fields agree well with each other. The six luminous LAEs in COSMOS coincide with two LAE-overdense regions, while such regions are not seen in CDFS. The bright-end LF bump could be attributed to ionized bubbles in a patchy reionization. It appears associated with cosmic overdensities and thus supports an inside-out reionization topology at z ~ 7.0, i.e., the high-density peaks were ionized earlier compared to the voids. An average neutral hydrogen fraction of xH I ~ 0.2–0.4 is derived at z ~ 7.0 based on the cosmic evolution of the Lyα LF.

cosmology: observations↗
NASA NTRS1981

A method for unambiguous determination of starspot temperatures and areas - Application to II Pegasi, BY Draconis, and HD 209813

A method is presented for the unique derivation of both starspot temperatures and effective areas from the range of standardized V and R light curves obtained through the rotation periods, and the method is applied to spots observed on II Pegasi, BY Draconis, and HD 209813. The method involves the determination of the temperature difference between the spot and the surrounding photosphere from V and V-R photometry and the Barnes-Evans visual surface brightness relation, and area determination by the derivation of a parameterized effective area representing the fractional area of disk covered by spots under the assumption that the spot or spot group is adequately described by a single circular spot. By this method, an effective temperature of 3400 K and an area representing 37% of the facing hemisphere are derived for the large, cool spot observed on II Pegasi during 1977, an effective temperature of 3500 K and area of 34% are derived for BY Dra and an effective temperature of less than 3840 K is obtained for HD 209813. The derived starspot temperatures, which are believed to correspond to the starspot penumbrae, imply umbral temperatures of 2600-2900 K, in excellent agreement with the 3 kilogauss umbral spot models of Mullan (1974). The geometric modelling of the formation and migration of the spot on BY Dra also indicates a differential rotation amounting to -9.7 x 10 to the -9th rad/sec per deg, in agreement with the solar value.

Vogt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Large Scale Characteristics and Variability of the Global Sea Ice Cover

More than two decades of satellite passive microwave data are used to study and evaluate the large scale characteristics and the changing state of the sea ice cover in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Satellite data provide day/night almost continuous observation of global sea ice cover thereby enabling quantitative variability studies at various time scales. Despite coarse sensor resolution, spatial detail is provided through the use of sea ice concentrations which are derived using an algorithm that determines the fraction of ice and open water within each satellite footprint. Large seasonal fluctuations in the extent are apparent with those of the Southern Hemisphere having larger amplitudes but less symmetrical seasonal distribution than those of the Northern Hemisphere. The large scale interannual variability of the ice cover has been evaluated globally as well as regionally and in the Northern Hemisphere, the yearly anomaly maps show a predominance of positive values in the 1980s and negative values in the 1990s. Regression analysis show that the ice extent and ice area are on a decline at the rate of -2.0 +/- 0.5% and -3.1 +/- 0.3% per decade, respectively, in the Northern Hemisphere but there are regions like the Bering Sea with positive trends. What is intriguing, however, is that the perennial sea ice cover has been declining at a much faster rate than for the entire hemisphere, i.e., 6.7 +/- 2.4% and 8.3 +/- 2.4 % per decade for ice extent and ice area, respectively. The perennial ice cover consists mainly of thick multiyear ice floes, and its persistent decline would mean a reduction in the average thickness of sea ice and a change in the overall characteristics of the Arctic sea ice cover. Furthermore, the yearly anomaly patterns are coherent with those of surface temperatures derived from 19 years of thermal infrared AVHRR data. The latter also shows that in consolidated ice regions, the average temperature during summer minima has been increasing at about 0.9 +/- 0.6 K per decade.

Comiso, Josefino C.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Anhydrous Liquid Line of Descent of Yamato 980459 and Evolution of Martian Parental Magmas

Martian basalts represented by the shergottite meteorites reflect derivation from highly depleted mantle sources (high Nd, strong LREE depletions, low fO2)[1-3], with evidence of mixing with a much more enriched and oxidized reservoir, most likely a late-stage product of crystallization of an initial martian magma ocean [3-6]. The martian basaltic meteorites Yamato 980459 (Y98) and QUE 94201 (QUE) have bulk compositions that appear to represent bonafide liquids, rather than products of protracted crystallization. These two meteorites also represent the most primitive and evolved examples of the depleted basaltic shergottite suite. Magmatic liquids serve as effective probes of their source regions, and thus studying the potential relationship between magmas represented by Y98 and QUE can yield important information on the formation and evolution of martian basalts. Although the ages of these meteorites preclude that they are petrogenetically related to each other, they represent the best existing candidates for genuine liquids (other meteorites are suggested to represent liquid compositions, including LAR 06319 [7] and NWA 5789 [8], but only Y98 and QUE have been verified experimentally). They span much of the bulk-compositional range of martian basaltic meteorites, and represent end-member liquid compositions likely to arise from partial melting of the martian mantle. Recent efforts to model Y98-like parent liquid evolution by fractional crystallization using MELTS [6] produced a derivative liquid composition that closely matches QUE bulk composition, although it required a some-what unusual crystallization sequence. Experimental endeavours to verify this result at 1 bar have, however, been inconclusive [9].

Rapp, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Comparison of Clouds and Cloud Feedback between AMIP5 and AMIP6

We examine the changes in clouds and cloud feedback between Phase 5 (AMIP5) and Phase 6 (AMIP6) of the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project. Each model is perturbed by uniformly increasing the sea surface temperature by 4 K. The simulated cloud fraction, the perturbed states and cloud radiative kernels are used to derive cloud feedback in the shortwave (SW), longwave (LW) and their sum (Net). Compared to AMIP5, the cloud fraction in AMIP6 increases by 9.1%, while the perturbation leads to a 0.25% decrease. The Net cloud feedback at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is almost double (174%). Statistical tests support that this change is mainly due to an increase in the surface SW cloud feedback caused by optically thick, middle and low clouds. The contribution of the atmospheric Net component (12%) stems from the increase in the atmospheric LW cloud feedback, likely to play a role in weakening (strengthening) the northward (southward) meridional atmospheric energy transport, while the opposite is true for the surface LW and Net cloud feedback in the meridional oceanic energy transport. The substantial increase in cloud feedback at the TOA primarily contributes to the higher climate sensitivity. The cloud feedback spread in AMIP6 is comparable to that in AMIP5.

Clouds↗
NASA NTRS1998

Acquisition and Early Losses of Rare Gases from the Deep Earth

Direct observations show that the deep Earth contains rare gases of solar composition distinct from those in the atmosphere. We examine the implications of mantle rare gas characteristics on acquisition of rare gases from the solar nebula and subsequent losses due to a large impact. Deep mantle rare gas concentrations and isotopic compositions can be obtained from a model of transport and distribution of mantle rare gases. This model assumes the lower mantle closed early, while the upper mantle is open to subduction from the atmosphere and mass transfer from the lower mantle. Constraints are derived that can be incorporated into models for terrestrial volatile acquisition: (1) Calculated lower-mantle Xe-isotopic ratios indicate that the fraction of radiogenic Xe produced by I-129 and Pu-244 during the first about 10(exp 8) yr was lost, a conclusion also drawn for atmospheric Xe. Thus, either the Earth was made from materials that had lost >99% of rare gases about (0.7-2) x 10(exp 8) yr after the solar system formed, or gases were then lost from the fully formed Earth. (2) Concentrations of 3He and 20Ne in the lower mantle were established after these losses. (3) Neon-isotopic data indicates that mantle Ne has solar composition. The model allows for solar Ar/Ne and Xe/Ne in the lower mantle if a dominant fraction of upper mantle Ar and Xe are subduction-derived. If Earth formed in the presence of the solar nebula, it could have been melted by accretional energy and the blanketing effect of a massive, nebula-derived atmosphere. Gases from this atmosphere would have been sequestered within the molten Earth by dissolution at the surface and downward mixing. It was found that too much Ne would be dissolved in the Earth unless the atmosphere began to escape when the Earth was only partially assembled. Here we consider conditions required to initially dissolve sufficient rare gases to account for the present lower mantle concentrations after subsequent losses at 10(exp 8) yr. It is assumed that equilibration of the atmosphere with a thoroughly molten mantle was rapid, so that initial abundances of gases retained in any mantle layer reflected surface conditions when the layer solidified. For subsequent gas loss of 99.5% and typical solubility coefficients, a total pressure of 100 atm was required for an atmosphere of solar composition. Calculations of the pressure at the base of a primordial atmosphere indicate that this value might be exceeded by an order of magnitude or more for an atmosphere supported by accretional energy. Surface temperatures of about 4000 K would have been produced, probably high enough to melt the deep mantle. Initial distributions of retained rare gases would then be determined by the history of surface pressure and temperature during mantle cooling and solidification, i.e., the coupled cooling of Earth and atmosphere. The Earth's thermal state was determined by its surface temperature and the efficiency of convection in the molten mantle, estimated to be sufficient to maintain an adiabatic gradient. Because the melting curve is steeper than the adiabat, solidification of the mantle proceeded outward from the interior. Incorporation of atmospheric gases in the mantle therefore occurred over a range in surface temperature of a few thousand degrees Kelvin. The thermal state of the atmosphere was controlled by total luminosity of the Earth (energy) released by accreting planetesimals and the cooling Earth), nebular temperature and pressure, and atmospheric opacity. The energy released by accretion declined with time as did nebular pressure. Analytical solutions for an idealized (constant opacity radiative atmosphere show that declining energy sources under constant nebular conditions result in slowly diminishing surface temperature but dramatically increasing surface pressure. For such an atmosphere with declining nebular pressure but constant total luminosity, surface pressure decreases gradually with decreasing temperaure. A decline in accretion luminosity might be compensated by energy released as the mantle cools for about 10(exp 5) year, after which luminosity must decline. The total complement of dissolved rare gases will depend on the particular evolutionary path determined by the declining accretional luminosity, the Earth thermal history, removal of the nebula, and opacity variations of the atmosphere. Models for these coupled evolutionary histories for Earth's acquisition of nebular-derived noble gases are in progress. The later losses required at about 10(exp 8) yr (depleting the interior concentrations of the sequestered solar gases by a factor of > 100) were presumably related to the major impact in which the Moon formed.

Porcelli, D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

UV stars and the interstellar medium - A statistical time-dependent model

A statistical time-dependent model for the effects on the interstellar gas of the ionizing radiation from UV stars is presented. The radiation from the stars is assumed to be emitted as monochromatic bursts at random times and locations. The thermal and ionization history of the gas is followed in a Monte Carlo simulation. Probability densities as well as mean values for the ionization fraction, temperature, and other observable quantities are derived. The fluctuations in observed quantities due to the stochastic nature of the model are estimated. Models of the interstellar medium perpendicular to the galactic plane are developed and compared with observations. The action of the UV stars can explain the bulk properties of the interstellar gas toward the galactic poles and is consistent with the Copernicus satellite observations toward lambda Scorpii.

Lyon, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Immobilization/remobilization and the regulation of muscle mass

The relationship between animal body weight and the wet and dry weights of the soleus and EDL muscles was derived. Procedures were examined for tissue homogenization, fractionation, protein determination and DNA determination. A sequence of procedures and buffers were developed to carry out all analyses on one small muscle. This would yield a considerable increase in analytical strength associated with paired statistics. The proposed casting procedure which was to be used for immobilization was reexamined.

Almon, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Gravitational lensing statistics of amplified supernovae

Amplification statistics of gravitationally lensed supernovae can provide a valuable probe of the lensing matter in the universe. A general probability distribution for amplification by compact objects is derived which allows calculation of the lensed fraction of supernovae at or greater than an amplification A and at or less than an apparent magnitude. Comparison of the computed fractions with future results from ongoing supernova searches can lead to determination of the mass density of compact dark matter components with masses greater than about 0.001 solar mass, while the time-dependent amplification (and polarization) of the expanding supernovae constrain the individual masses. Type II supernovae are found to give the largest fraction for deep surveys, and the optimum flux-limited search is found to be at approximately 23d magnitude, if evolution of the supernova rate is neglected.

Linder, Eric V.↗
NASA NTRS1991

On representation of mechanical behavior and stereological measures of microstructure

Macroscopic homogeneity of a heterogeneous body is defined from various points of view. The applicability of the principle of Delesse to a single macroscopically homogeneous body is discussed. It is then seen that a function derived from a consideration of the area fraction of a phase can serve as a measure of clustering of particles of that phase.

Onat, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Atmospheric Soundings from AIRS/AMSU in Partial Cloud Cover

Simultaneous use of AIRS/AMSU-A observations allow for the determination of accurate atmospheric soundings under partial cloud cover conditions. The methodology involves the determination of the radiances AIRS would have seen if the AIRS fields of view were clear, called clear column radiances, and use of these radiances to infer the atmospheric and surface conditions giving rise to these clear column radiances. Susskind et al. demonstrate via simulation that accurate temperature soundings and clear column radiances can be derived from AIRS/AMSU-A observations in cases of up to 80% partial cloud cover, with only a small degradation in accuracy compared to that obtained in clear scenes. Susskind and Atlas show that these findings hold for real AIRS/AMSU-A soundings as well. For data assimilation purposes, this small degradation in accuracy is more than offset by a significant increase in spatial coverage (roughly 50% of global cases were accepted, compared to 3.6% of the global cases being diagnosed as clear), and assimilation of AIRS temperature soundings in partially cloudy conditions resulted in a larger improvement in forecast skill than when AIRS soundings were assimilated only under clear conditions. Alternatively, derived AIRS clear column radiances under partial cloud cover could also be used for data assimilation purposes. Further improvements in AIRS sounding methodology have been made since the results shown in Susskind and Atlas . A new version of the AIRS/AMSU-A retrieval algorithm, Version 4.0, was delivered to the Goddard DAAC in February 2005 for production of AIRS derived products, including clear column radiances. The major improvement in the Version 4.0 retrieval algorithm is with regard to a more flexible, parameter dependent, quality control. Results are shown of the accuracy and spatial distribution of temperature-moisture profiles and clear column radiances derived from AIRS/AMSU-A as a function of fractional cloud cover using the Version 4.0 algorithm. Use of the Version 4.0 AIRS temperature profiles increased the positive forecast impact arising from AIRS retrievals relative to what was shown in Susskind and Atlas .

Susskind, Joel↗