Aerosol Optical Depth Measurements Using a Handheld Sun Photometer

As part of the Texas A&M Student Operational Aggie Doppler Radar Project (SOAP), photometry measurements were taken throughout the summer to measure aerosol optical depth (AOD), using handheld sun photometers. This study will explore the value of these measurements from relatively cost efficient instruments. During the observations, there was an interesting Saharan dust event from which data were collected. Results will be presented analyzing this case using this photometer data in addition to measurements from satellites and backwards trajectories of air parcels. Direct comparisons of AOD data during non-dust events from the sun photometer and satellite derived AOD products from the MODIS sensors on the NASA satellites Terra and Aqua will also be presented.