Cross-validation of MERIS and ASAR-InSAR water vapor observations

Joaquín Muñoz Sabater*, Ramon F. Hanssen, Dmitri Moisseev

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

Abstract

During the ERS-1 and ERS-2 missions, the application of synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) become known as a very important method for topographic mapping and high accuracy surface displacement measurements. Further investigations, however, showed that the expected accuracy could not be achieved in practice. It appeared that radiowave propagation heterogeneities through the atmosphere cause significant distortion to the observed signal and consequently to the derived topography and/or deformation signal. Inversely, it was shown that if topography is known and deformation is absent, the InSAR observations can be used to derive very accurate information on the state of atmosphere at the time of measurements. Due to the co-existence of MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) and ASAR (advanced synthetic aperture radar) on board of ENVISAT and the fact that their acquisitions can be collocated both in time and space, there are unique opportunities for complementary analysis. In this work we compare MERIS water vapor products and the integrated precipitable water vapor as observed with ASAR. Three complementary applications of the sensors are discussed. First, this is the correction of the atmospheric phase screen in InSAR products using the MERIS-derived water vapor signal. Second, we discuss the possibility for validating the MERIS water vapor product using InSAR data. Finally, we comment on the joint estimation of water vapor above and below the top of the cloud layers.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Pages7-12
Number of pages6
Edition549
Publication statusPublished - 2004
EventMERIS User Workshop - Frascati, Italy
Duration: 10 Nov 200313 Nov 2003

Conference

ConferenceMERIS User Workshop
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFrascati
Period10/11/0313/11/03

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