Development of the Autonomous Arctic Infrared Observer (AAIRO)

该项目将是一个概念验证？为一个新的仪器平台，称为自主北极红外观测站(AAIRO)。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冰盖实验一部分部署的仪器的价值。[ICECAPS代表峰会能量、云、大气状态和降水的综合表征。]将开发一个计算机模型，通过降低部署在格陵兰岛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光谱中提取大气属性。反演的属性将包括近地表温度结构、水蒸气、一氧化碳和甲烷的微量气体数量，以及云的宏观物理(分数、基本高度)和微观物理属性(相、有效粒子半径、光学厚度)。从AAIRO模拟器检索的属性将与从ICECAPS仪器套件检索的属性进行比较。该项目将在美国国家科学基金会-S北极观测网络的更广泛背景下证明AAIRO作为一个补充工具的有效性，并将为AAIRO实际仪器的未来发展奠定基础。一名研究生和一名博士后，他们将有机会参与红外线仪器设计和遥感检索。证明AAIRO？S的测量能力可能会潜在地提高极地研究界？S解决搜索实施计划中概述的基础科学问题的能力。像AAIRO这样的仪器的潜在开发是对其他现有和拟议的传感器的补充，并可能提供对理解北极系统至关重要的更完整的观测网络。

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.