Comparison of a single-view and a double-view aerosol optical depth retrieval algorithm

We compare the results of a single-view and a double-view aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval algorithm applied to image pairs acquired over NASA Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. The image data were acquired by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Multispectral Thermal Imager (MTI), a pushbroom satellite imager with 15 bands from the visible to the thermal infrared. MTI has the ability to acquire imagery in pairs in which the first image is a near-nadir view and the second image is off-nadir with a zenith angle of approximately 60degrees. A total of 15 image pairs were used in the analysis. For a given image pair, AOD retrieval is performed twice-once using a single-view algorithm applied to the near-nadir image, then again using a double-view algorithm. Errors for both retrievals are computed by comparing the results to AERONET AOD measurements obtained at the same time and place. The single-view algorithm showed an RMS error about the mean of 0.076 in AOD units, whereas the double-view algorithm showed a modest improvement with an RMS error of 0.06. The single-view errors show a positive bias which is presumed to be a result of the empirical relationship used to determine ground reflectance in. the visible. A plot of ACID error of the double-view algorithm versus time shows a noticeable trend which is interpreted to be a calibration drift. When this trend is removed, the RMS error of the double-view algorithm drops to 0.030. The single-view algorithm qualitatively appears to perform better during the spring and summer whereas the double-view algorithm seems to be less sensitive to season.