Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Infrared Interferometric Measurements of the Near-Surface Air Temperature over the Oceans

P. J. Minnett Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

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K. A. Maillet Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

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J. A. Hanafin Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

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B. J. Osborne Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH1756.1
Page(s):
1019–1032
Restricted access

Abstract

The radiometric measurement of the marine air temperature using a Fourier transform infrared spectroradiometer is described. The measurements are taken by the Marine-Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI) that has been deployed on many research ships in a wide range of conditions. This approach is inherently more accurate than conventional techniques and can be used to determine some of the error characteristics of the standard measurements. Examples are given from several cruises ranging from the Arctic to the equatorial Pacific Oceans. It is shown that the diurnal heating signal in radiometric air temperatures in the tropical Pacific can typically reach an amplitude of ∼15% of that measured by conventional sensors. Conventional data have long been recognized as being contaminated by direct solar heating and heat island effects of the ships or buoys on which they are mounted, but here this effect is quantified by comparisons with radiometric measurements.

* Current affiliation: Space and Atmospheric Physics, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author address: Dr. P. J. Minnett, Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149. Email: pminnett@rsmas.miami.edu

Abstract

The radiometric measurement of the marine air temperature using a Fourier transform infrared spectroradiometer is described. The measurements are taken by the Marine-Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI) that has been deployed on many research ships in a wide range of conditions. This approach is inherently more accurate than conventional techniques and can be used to determine some of the error characteristics of the standard measurements. Examples are given from several cruises ranging from the Arctic to the equatorial Pacific Oceans. It is shown that the diurnal heating signal in radiometric air temperatures in the tropical Pacific can typically reach an amplitude of ∼15% of that measured by conventional sensors. Conventional data have long been recognized as being contaminated by direct solar heating and heat island effects of the ships or buoys on which they are mounted, but here this effect is quantified by comparisons with radiometric measurements.

* Current affiliation: Space and Atmospheric Physics, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author address: Dr. P. J. Minnett, Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149. Email: pminnett@rsmas.miami.edu

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Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

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