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Title: Development of a soil moisture product using aquarius/SAC-D observations

Author
item Jackson, Thomas
item BINDLISH, R - Science Systems, Inc
item ZHAO, T - Collaborator
item Holmes, Thomas
item Cosh, Michael
item O'NEILL, P - National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2012
Publication Date: 7/22/2012
Citation: Jackson, T.J., Bindlish, R., Zhao, T., Holmes, T.R., Cosh, M.H., O'Neill, P.E. 2012. Development of a soil moisture product using aquarius/SAC-D observations[abstract]. International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. 2012 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Our objective in this investigation is to exploit the large amount of land observations and extend the impact of the Aquarius satellite to land applications through the retrieval of soil moisture. This research will expand the impact of the Aquarius mission to a broader scientific community, explore new algorithm approaches that exploit the active-passive microwave observations, and contribute to the design and implementation of future satellite-based soil moisture satellites. Following the successful launch of Aquarius in June 2011 and the beginning of data availability, we have undertaken studies in three areas; evaluation of the Aquarius radiometer calibration over land, preliminary application of a baseline (radiometer only) soil moisture algorithm, and evaluation of the microwave radiometer 36.5 GHz data calibration over land. Each of these analyses is an important component in preparing for the routine processing of soil moisture. Results to date indicate that the calibrations are nominally correct and reliable. Further analyses, which are ongoing, are required once the data are fully calibrated data and longer periods of record are available.