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Title: The SMAP In Situ Soil Moisture Sensor Testbed: Comparing in situ sensors for satellite validation

Author
item Cosh, Michael
item OCHSNER, TYSON - Oklahoma State University
item BASARA, JEFF - University Of Oklahoma
item Jackson, Thomas

Submitted to: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/26/2010
Publication Date: 10/22/2010
Citation: Cosh, M.H., Ochsner, T., Basara, J., Jackson, T.J. 2010. The SMAP In situ soil moisture sensor testbed: Comparing in situ sensors for satellite validation. In: Proceedings of the IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, July 25-30, 2010, Honolulu, Hawaii. III:290-293.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: One of the most valuable tools in validating satellite based soil moisture estimates, such as those from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission are large scale in situ networks. Global validation involves networks operated by many different organizations. Existing in situ soil moisture networks use a variety of sensors and their estimates are not immediately interchangeable. A testbed has been established to provide a unique point of comparison for the many techniques that are currently being used or under development. The first of several planned testbeds is being implemented at the Marena Mesonet facility near Stillwater, Oklahoma. NASA, USDA, the Oklahoma Mesonet, and Oklahoma State University are cooperating, along with representatives from the Cosmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (COSMOS) and the GPS reflectometry project. The resulting dataset will serve as a basis for sensor intercomparisons of soil moisture networks for the calibration and validation of the SMAP satellite mission.