Fusing MODIS, MISR and CERES Satellite Data for Aerosol Research

Fusing MODIS, MISR and CERES Satellite Data for Aerosol Research Sundar A. Christopher, Pawan Gupta and Falguni Patadia The University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL 35805 [email protected] Abstract Combining data sets from multiple satellite sensors is a powerful method for studying earth-atmosphere problems. By fusing data, we can utilize the strengths of the individual instruments that may not be otherwise possible. In this paper we provide the framework for combining level 2 data products from three sensors on board NASA’s Terra satellite. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the merging of top of atmosphere reflected solar radiative energy fluxes (from the Clouds and the Earth’s Energy Radiant Energy System, CERES) with multi-spectral (from the Moderate Resolution Imaging SpectroRadiometer, MODIS) and multi-spectral, multi-angle (Multi-angle imaging Spectroradiometer, MISR) data sets. We specifically focus upon combining the pixel level CERES TOA fluxes with the Level 2 MODIS and MISR aerosol products. Although this project was undertaken specifically to address aerosol research, the methods employed for fusing data can be used for other problems requiring synergistic data sets. We present selected examples over different aerosol regimes and provide recommendations for further research on data fusion. AbstractCombining data sets from multiple satellite sensors is a powerful method for studying earth-atmosphere problems. By fusing data, we can utilize the strengths of the individual instruments that may not be otherwise possible. In this paper we provide the framework for combining level 2 data products from three sensors on board NASA’s Terra satellite. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the merging of top of atmosphere reflected solar radiative energy fluxes (from the Clouds and the Earth’s Energy Radiant Energy System, CERES) with multi-spectral (from the Moderate Resolution Imaging SpectroRadiometer, MODIS) and multi-spectral, multi-angle (Multi-angle imaging Spectroradiometer, MISR) data sets. We specifically focus upon combining the pixel level CERES TOA fluxes with the Level 2 MODIS and MISR aerosol products. Although this project was undertaken specifically to address aerosol research, the methods employed for fusing data can be used for other problems requiring synergistic data sets. We present selected examples over different aerosol regimes and provide recommendations for further research on data fusion. Abstract