Determination of the column water vapour of the atmosphere using backscattered solar radiation measured by the Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS)

Images of atmospheric column water vapour derived from backscattered solar radiation measured by the biospectroradiometer B of the Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS) are introduced. The method for derivation is based upon the technique of the Continuum Interpolated Band Radio (CIBR) for the 940 nm absorption band. A correction algorithm for the underestimation of the water vapour content due to low reflecting surface cover was applied. The instrument measures radiation in the 400-1010 nm region in 13 channels of 10 nm bandwidth and has a ground IFOV of 520 m x 520 m. The retrieved water vapour values were compared to radiosonde data. The derived equations are applicable over cloud-free land surfaces (separated in nonvegetation and vegetation cover) of the midlatitude regions with only small elevations (e.g., agricultural areas).