HR: 14:40h
AN: A32C-04    [PDF]
TI: New Measurements of Aerosol Vertical Structure from Space Using the NASA Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS): Applications for Aerosol Transport Models
AU: * Welton, E J
EM: Ellsworth.J.Welton@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 912, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Ginoux, P
EM: Paul.Ginoux@noaa.gov
AF: NOAA GFDL / Princeton University, Forrestal Campus, Route 1, Princeton, NJ 08542 United States
AU: Colarco, P
EM: Peter.Colarco@gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology Center, UMBC, NASA/GSFC Code 916, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Chin, M
EM: chin@rondo.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 916, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Spinhirne, J D
EM: jspin@virl.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 912, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Palm, S P
EM: spp@virl.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA/GSFC Code 912, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Hlavka, D
EM: sgdlh@virl.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA/GSFC Code 912, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AU: Hart, W
EM: billhart@virl.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: Science Systems and Applications, Inc., NASA/GSFC Code 912, Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States
AB: In the past, satellite measurements of aerosols have only been possible using passive sensors. Analysis of passive satellite data has lead to an improved understanding of aerosol properties, spatial distribution, and their effect on the earth's climate. However, direct measurement of aerosol vertical distribution has not been possible using only the passive data. Knowledge of aerosol vertical distribution is important to correctly assess the impact of aerosol absorption, for certain atmospheric correction procedures, and to help constrain height profiles in aerosol transport models. On January 12, 2003 NASA launched the first satellite-based lidar, the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), onboard the ICESat spacecraft. GLAS is both an altimeter and an atmospheric lidar, and obtains direct measurements of aerosol and cloud heights. Here we show an overview of GLAS, provide an update of its current status, and discuss how GLAS data will be useful for modeling efforts. In particular, a strategy of using GLAS to characterize the height profile of dust plumes over source regions will be presented, along with initial results. Such information can be used to validate and improve output from aerosol transport models. Aerosol height profile comparisons between GLAS and transport models will be shown for regions downwind of aerosol sources. We will also discuss the feasibility of assimilating GLAS profiles into the models in order to improve their output.
UR: http://glo.gsfc.nasa.gov
DE: 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
DE: 0305 Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801)
DE: 0322 Constituent sources and sinks
DE: 1610 Atmosphere (0315, 0325)
DE: 3307 Boundary layer processes
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting