Polarized observations for advanced atmosphere-ocean algorithms using airborne multi-spectral hyper-angular polarimetric imager

Airborne measurements of the linear polarization state light were carried out over coastal and open ocean conditions to study aerosol water column properties investigate possibility using a multi-spectral, hyper-angular imaging polarimeter for retrieving hydrosol optical properties. The instrument, Versatile Imager Coastal Ocean (VICO), is used support analysis color polarized observations their implication future space-borne polarimetry such as polarimeters planned be deployed with NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ecosystem (PACE) mission. Several sets images at different viewing angles from visible near-infrared spectrum collected compared simulations vector radiative transfer (VRT) code. obtained based on measured seawater inherent shipborne instruments atmospheric parameters Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sunphotometer locations. An uncertainty method has been derived by propagating uncertainties radiances. demonstrates practicable formulations that can construct measurement budget data products. Results VICO VRT simulation are consistent both radiance all angles. total water-leaving reflectances retrieved four bands varied geometries. It also shown remote sensing reflectance various could distinguish between aerosols’ hydrosols’ signatures exploiting fact fairly insensitive hydrosols given acquisition This thus provides an opportunity relationships microphysical oceanic particulates refractive index particle size contributes development polarization-based inverse algorithms. Finally, provided gives insights validation will forthcoming polarimetric satellite missions.