Continuous Improvements to Calibrated, Enhanced-Resolution Brightness Temperatures (CETBs) for Near Real-Time Cryospheric Applications

• Main Authors: Hardman, M. A., Brodzik, M. J., Long, D. G., Meier, W. N., Miller, J. Z., Ramage, J. M., Stewart, J. S.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Zenodo 2022
• Subjects: passive microwave; brightness temperatures; Radiometer Version of Scatterometer Image Reconstruction; rSIR; EASE-Grid 2.0; enhanced resolution; sea ice concentration CDR; sea ice motion CDR; firn aquifer extent; ice slab extent; Ice Sheet; Ice Shelf; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7958812

Since the release of the Calibrated, Enhanced-Resolution Brightness Temperature (CETB) Earth System Data Record (ESDR) in 2017, the cryospheric research community has been using this long-term data record to update derived geophysical parameters. This global, gridded data set is a fundamental tool in studying surprisingly rapid cryospheric change in the satellite era. The CETBs make use of an innovative computational algorithm, the radiometer version of Scatterometer Image Reconstruction (rSIR), to improve spatial resolution of the products to 3 km (30-60% over conventional gridding techniques). With data beginning in 1978, CETBs provide a 40+ year record of Earth’s passive microwave emissions from multiple, often overlapping, polar orbiting sensors. Recent sensor additions to CETBs include Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) radiometer and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2). We now produce daily CETBs in near real- time for operational sensors (3 SSMIS, SMAP and AMSR2). Developed with FAIR principles, the CETBs provide the highest-quality, consistently-calibrated, gridded passive microwave data available, using EASE-Grid 2.0, self-describing data content and provenance conventions, machine-readable geolocation and transparency in data processing parameters. Freely distributed by the NASA NSIDC DAAC, this reliable, high-quality, enhanced-resolution ESDR is advancing our understanding of both spatial and temporal variability in cryospheric phenomena. In this presentation we highlight successful recent applications of the CETBs to advance understanding of the cryosphere for thebenefit of human society. SMAP CETBs are used to derive firn aquifer and ice slab extent to advance understanding of liquid water reservoirs in ice sheet and ice shelf processes related to mass balance and stability. AMSR2 CETBs are used to improve sea ice concentration and sea ice motion maps, at higher spatial resolutions than have previously been available, to benefit operational sea ice monitoring in the Alaskan Arctic. ...