Remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols and trace gases by means of multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer. Part I: Retrieval algorithm

Abstract

A retrieval algorithm for processing multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) data from clear and partially cloudy days is described and validated. This method, while complementary to the Langley approach, uses consistency between the direct normal and diffuse horizontal measurements combined with a regression technique to simultaneously retrieve daily time series of column mean aerosol particle size, aerosol optical depth, NO2, and ozone amounts along with the instrument's calibration constants. Comparison with the traditional Langley calibration method demonstrates two advantages of the approach described here: greater calibration stability and a decreased sensitivity of retrievals to calibration errors.