Development of the Autonomous Arctic Infrared Observer (AAIRO)

该项目将是一个？概念证明？一个名为自主北极红外观测仪（AAIRO）的新仪器平台。主要目标是评估从模拟AAIRO测量中检索到的数据产品相对于目前作为ICECAPS实验一部分部署的仪器的价值。[ICECAPS代表能量、云、大气状态和高峰降水的综合特征。将开发一个计算机模型，通过降低部署在格陵兰Summit的极地大气发射辐射干涉仪（P-AERI）的光谱分辨率来模拟AAIRO的运行。算法将用于从模拟的AAIRO光谱中检索大气特性。获取的属性将包括云的近地表温度结构、水汽、一氧化碳和甲烷的微量气体量，以及云的宏观物理（分数、基础高度）和微观物理特性（相位、有效粒子半径、光学深度）。从AAIRO模拟器中检索到的属性将与从ICECAPS仪器套件中检索到的属性进行比较。该项目将证明AAIRO作为国家科学基金会更广泛背景下的补充工具的有用性。并将为实际的AAIRO仪器的未来发展奠定基础。一名研究生和一名博士后，将有机会参与红外仪器设计和遥感检索。AAIRO的证据？美国的测量能力可能会潜在地改善极地研究界？解决SEARCH实施计划中概述的基础科学问题的能力。像AAIRO这样的仪器的潜在发展可以补充其他现有的和拟议的传感器，并可以提供一个更完整的观测网络，这对了解北极系统至关重要。

The project will be a ?proof of concept? for a new instrument platform called the Autonomous Arctic Infrared Observer (AAIRO). The primary goal is to assess the value of data products retrieved from simulated AAIRO measurements relative to instruments that are currently deployed as part of the ICECAPS experiment. [ICECAPS stands for Integrated Characterization of Energy, Clouds, Atmospheric state, and Precipitation at Summit.] A computer model will be developed that simulates the operation of the AAIRO by degrading the spectral resolution of spectra from the Polar Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (P-AERI) deployed at Summit, Greenland. Algorithms will be used to retrieve atmospheric properties from the simulated AAIRO spectra. Retrieved properties will include near-surface temperature structure, trace gas amounts of water vapor, carbon monoxide, and methane, and macrophysical (fraction, base height) and microphysical properties (phase, effective particle radius, optical depth) of clouds. Retrieved properties from the AAIRO simulator will be compared to those retrieved from the suite of ICECAPS instruments. This project will prove the usefulness of the AAIRO as a complementary instrument within the broader context of NSF?s Arctic Observing Network and will set the stage for future development of the actual AAIRO instrument. A graduate student and a postdoctoral fellow who will have the opportunity to be involved in both infrared instrument design and remote sensing retrievals. Proof of the AAIRO?s measurement capabilities could potentially improve the polar research community?s ability to address the basic science questions outlined in the SEARCH Implementation Plan. The potential development of an instrument like that AAIRO complements other existing and proposed sensors and could provide a more complete network of observations that are critical for understanding the Arctic system.