Thursday, 16 January 2025: 9:30 AM
355 (New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center)
Characterizing the complex three-dimensional (3D) thermodynamic structure of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) from a global perspective is crucial for achieving high-priority Earth science objectives. The 2017 Decadal Survey (DS2017) highlighted the need for better observations of PBL temperature, water vapor profiles, and PBL height, recommending the PBL as an incubation target observable. Despite its importance, global, systematic measurements of PBL thermodynamics remain an unmet challenge, which was addressed in the NASA PBL Incubation program.
Current technology falls short in providing the necessary resolution and vertical information for major science objectives of this complex, process-oriented research. Atmospheric tomography, inspired by computed tomography (CT) in medical imaging, offers a promising approach to retrieve 3D structures and vertical profiles of atmospheric components at high spatial resolution. Multi-angle observations of the atmosphere, combined with CT, can in principle reconstruct 3D volumes of clouds, aerosols and water vapor.
To evaluate the potential of CT for atmospheric remote sensing, the Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) tasked our study team to identify key science questions for (i) PBL thermodynamics, (ii) clouds and aerosols, and (iii) the carbon cycle. The second goal is to assess the information gained from tomographic retrievals using both active and passive remote sensing techniques. We will present results from our observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) with a focus on the PBL to explore the trade-offs between different remote sensing approaches and advance the capability to address key scientific challenges in Earth system science.
Current technology falls short in providing the necessary resolution and vertical information for major science objectives of this complex, process-oriented research. Atmospheric tomography, inspired by computed tomography (CT) in medical imaging, offers a promising approach to retrieve 3D structures and vertical profiles of atmospheric components at high spatial resolution. Multi-angle observations of the atmosphere, combined with CT, can in principle reconstruct 3D volumes of clouds, aerosols and water vapor.
To evaluate the potential of CT for atmospheric remote sensing, the Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) tasked our study team to identify key science questions for (i) PBL thermodynamics, (ii) clouds and aerosols, and (iii) the carbon cycle. The second goal is to assess the information gained from tomographic retrievals using both active and passive remote sensing techniques. We will present results from our observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) with a focus on the PBL to explore the trade-offs between different remote sensing approaches and advance the capability to address key scientific challenges in Earth system science.
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