The Dark Target Algorithm for Observing the Global Aerosol System: Past, Present, and Future

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dc.contributor.authorRemer, Lorraine
dc.contributor.authorLevy, Robert C.
dc.contributor.authorMattoo, Shana
dc.contributor.authorTanré, Didier
dc.contributor.authorGupta, Pawan
dc.contributor.authorShi, Yingxi
dc.contributor.authorSawyer, Virginia
dc.contributor.authorMunchak, Leigh A.
dc.contributor.authorZhou, Yaping
dc.contributor.authorKim, Mijin
dc.contributor.authorIchoku, Charles
dc.contributor.authorPatadia, Falguni
dc.contributor.authorLi, Rong-Rong
dc.contributor.authorGassó, Santiago
dc.contributor.authorKleidman, Richard G.
dc.contributor.authorHolben, Brent N.
dc.date.accessioned2022-02-16T19:10:59Z
dc.date.available2022-02-16T19:10:59Z
dc.date.issued2020-09-01
dc.description.abstractThe Dark Target aerosol algorithm was developed to exploit the information content available from the observations of Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS), to better characterize the global aerosol system. The algorithm is based on measurements of the light scattered by aerosols toward a space-borne sensor against the backdrop of relatively dark Earth scenes, thus giving rise to the name “Dark Target”. Development required nearly a decade of research that included application of MODIS airborne simulators to provide test beds for proto-algorithms and analysis of existing data to form realistic assumptions to constrain surface reflectance and aerosol optical properties. This research in itself played a significant role in expanding our understanding of aerosol properties, even before Terra MODIS launch. Contributing to that understanding were the observations and retrievals of the growing Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) of sun-sky radiometers, which has walked hand-in-hand with MODIS and the development of other aerosol algorithms, providing validation of the satellite-retrieved products after launch. The MODIS Dark Target products prompted advances in Earth science and applications across subdisciplines such as climate, transport of aerosols, air quality, and data assimilation systems. Then, as the Terra and Aqua MODIS sensors aged, the challenge was to monitor the effects of calibration drifts on the aerosol products and to differentiate physical trends in the aerosol system from artefacts introduced by instrument characterization. Our intention is to continue to adapt and apply the well-vetted Dark Target algorithms to new instruments, including both polar-orbiting and geosynchronous sensors. The goal is to produce an uninterrupted time series of an aerosol climate data record that begins at the dawn of the 21st century and continues indefinitely into the future.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was funded by “NASA Earth Science Senior Review 2017 MODIS algorithm maintenance” and “NASA Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (NNH17ZDA001N-MEASURES)”. C.I. is also grateful for partial support received during the preparation of this article from the Educational Partnership Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Department of Commerce, under Agreement No. #NA16SEC4810006.en_US
dc.description.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/18/2900en_US
dc.format.extent45 pagesen_US
dc.genrejournal articlesen_US
dc.identifierdoi:10.13016/m2lc99-bgic
dc.identifier.citationRemer, Lorraine A., Robert C. Levy, Shana Mattoo, Didier Tanré, Pawan Gupta, Yingxi Shi, Virginia Sawyer, Leigh A. Munchak, Yaping Zhou, Mijin Kim, Charles Ichoku, Falguni Patadia, Rong-Rong Li, Santiago Gassó, Richard G. Kleidman, and Brent N. Holben. 2020. "The Dark Target Algorithm for Observing the Global Aerosol System: Past, Present, and Future" Remote Sensing 12, no. 18: 2900. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12182900en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3390/rs12182900
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/24289
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherMDPIen_US
dc.relation.isAvailableAtThe University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Faculty Collection
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Physics Collection
dc.rightsThis work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such woen_US
dc.rightsPublic Domain Mark 1.0*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/*
dc.titleThe Dark Target Algorithm for Observing the Global Aerosol System: Past, Present, and Futureen_US
dc.typeTexten_US
dcterms.creatorhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4333-533Xen_US
dcterms.creatorhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7812-851Xen_US

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