Hyperspectral radiance simulator: cloudy radiance modeling and beyond

Current and future advanced atmospheric profile sounding and imaging instruments are evolving to enable global or hemispherical hyperspectral resolution measurements from space. The NASA/Navy/NOAA Geosynchronous Imaging FTS (GIFTS) for EO-3, NOAA Hyperspectral Environmental Sounder (HES) for GOES-F, and the currently operational Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on the NASA's Aqua Spacecraft will collect infrared high-spectral resolution/hyperspectral radiance spectra for remote sensing of the atmosphere, clouds, land, and ocean surfaces. These semi-continuous infrared high spectral-resolution/hyperspectral radiances will provide unprecedented information in the infrared region that is highly sensitive to absorption and emission of clouds. For sounding the atmospheric profiles one must perform cloud clearing or model the radiative effects of cloud explicitly if sounding is desired under cloud-contaminated conditions. We will describe the approach for modeling cloud attenuation in a fast-parameterized forward model that treats clouds as an additional absorber. Together with the usual clear forward model spectroscopic inputs, cloud altitude, effective particle size and shape and its ice or liquid water content are required input variables. Based on this efficient cloudy radiative transfer model, the simulation of the spatial and temporal coherent radiance images in three dimensions becomes possible. We will further explain how these 3-D GIFTS radiance cubes are used as test bed for a variety of trade studies.