AIRS Science and Applications
AIRS and its companion microwave sounder AMSU observe the entire atmospheric column from Earth’s surface to the top of the atmosphere. The primary data they return is the infrared spectrum in 2378 individual frequencies. The infrared spectrum is rich in information on numerous gases in the atmosphere.
AIRS primary scientific achievement has been to improve weather prediction and provide new information on the water and energy cycle. The instrument also yields information on several important greenhouse gases.
Weather and climate forecasting
AIRS data are used by weather forecasting centers around the world. By incorporating AIRS measurements into their models, forecasters have been able to extended reliable mid-range weather forecasts by more than six hours. AIRS data have also improved forecasts of the location and magnitude of predicted storms.
AIRS temperature and water vapor profiles are available in real time to regional weather forecasters, providing twice-daily weather measurements for the entire Pacific Ocean, once in the morning and once in the evening.
AIRS measurements form a "fingerprint" of the state of the atmosphere for a given time and place that can be used as a climate data record for future generations. They have become important tools for understanding current climate and increasing the ability to predict the future.
Atmospheric Composition, Greenhouse Gases, and Air Quality
AIRS maps the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane globally. Its ability to provide simultaneous observations of the Earth's atmospheric temperature, water vapor, ocean surface temperature, and land surface temperature and infrared spectral emissivity, as well as humidity, clouds and the distribution of greenhouse gases, makes AIRS/AMSU a very useful space instrument to observe and study the response of the atmosphere to increased greenhouse gases.
The instrument can detect carbon monoxide emissions from the burning of plant materials and animal waste by humans in rainforests and large cities. It can follow giant plumes of this gas moving across the planet from these large burns, allowing scientists to better monitor pollution transport patterns.
AIRS provides a global daily 3-D view of Earth's ozone layer, showing how ozone is transported. The instrument also gives scientists their best view of atmospheric ozone in the Antarctic region during the polar winter.
AIRS is also able to identify concentrations of sulfur dioxide and dust.
Read more about this topic: Atmospheric Infrared Sounder
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