Satellite intercalibration of IR window radiance observations

The paper provides an outline of a satellite intercalibration technique applied to IR window measurements by Meteosat-6 and NOAA-14 AVHRR (channels 4 and 5) and channel 4 of the GOES-8 imager. The goal is to arrive at an intercalibration of the IR window channels within about 1 K which is the typical error claimed for current operational, satellite calibration. This can only be achieved if differences in observed target areas, viewing geometry, spectral response, and collocation in time and space are properly considered and corrected for. The intercalibration of the different LR window observations provides an agreement of the order 1 - 2%, corresponding to about 1 - 2 K for typical surface temperatures. (C) 1999 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.