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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153952
Title: ANALYSIS OF PSR MICROWAVE OBSERVATIONS DURING SMEX03

Author
item BINDLISH, RAJAT - SSAI
item Jackson, Thomas
item STANKOV, BOBA - NOAA ETL
item KLEIN, MARIAN - NOAA ETL
item GASIEWSKI, ALBIN - NOAA ETL
item Hsu, Ann

Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2003
Publication Date: 12/8/2003
Citation: Bindlish, R., Jackson, T.J., Stankov, B., Klein, M., Gawiewski, A.J., Hsu, A.Y. 2003. Analysis of PSR microwave observations during SMEX03 [abstract]. EOS Transactions. 84(46):618.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer (PSR/CX) was flown on the NASA P-3B aircraft as part of the Soil Moisture Experiment (SMEX03). PSR/CX has been successfully operated during several previous airborne campaigns. The primary objectives of PSR/CX during SMEX03 are: 1) Calibration and validation of AMSR observations over different parts of the globe and to check for the presence of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), 2) comparison of X-band observations from TRMM, AMSR and PSR, and 3) Explore the potential for the development of soil moisture retrieval algorithms using C-band imagery in diverse landscapes (Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Brazil). The SMEX03 experiment was conducted over diverse landscape conditions. The dominant land use classes in different SMEX03 domains are: 1) Georgia - agricultural with cotton and peanuts, 2) Alabama ' half grassland and half forest, 3) Oklahoma North ' Winter wheat, 4) Oklahoma South ' Pasture, and 5) Brazil ' half cultivated land and half rainforest. The first part of SMEX03 (Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma) consisted of 112 flightlines at high altitude resulting in 28 mapping domains flown between June 24-July 18, 2003 (5 over Alabama, 3 over Georgia, 10 over Oklahoma North and 10 over Oklahoma South). The second part of SMEX03 will be conducted in Brazil during September 16-26, 2003. Each mapping domain is about 100 km x 50 km (8 Ease Grid boxes), providing an excellent area for calibration and validation of AMSR-E observations. Results of comparison between PSR and AMSR and the use of microwave remote sensing to estimate soil moisture over wide range of vegetation and soil moisture conditions are presented.