The use of computer-simulated radiances to retrieve total atmospheric ozone data from satellite-mounted infrared multifilter radiometers

Between March 1977 and February 1980, four satellites equipped with multichannel filter radiometer (MFR) sensors supplied infrared radiance data at various spectral channels. The Satellite Ozone Analysis Center (SOAC) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory received the radiance data from the U.S. Air Force. An ozone retrieval model was developed by SOAC in order to derive total ozone values from the radiance data. Statistical comparison against a network of ground observatories which measure total ozone with a Dobson spectrophotometer showed good agreement between MFR-derived ozone data and Dobson measurements. Thus, the scientific feasibility of SOAC's ozone retrieval model was established. Currently, SOAC has begun to automate the processing and archiving of the MFR data. Daily computer-generated contour maps of the global ozone distribution will be produced for dissemination to the scientific community. Extensive data analysis is also in progress.