Validation of ATSR SST (skin temperature) product has been carried out on the basis of, both, "skin" and "bulk" SST, as measured from radiometers or buoys. Note that "bulk" SST are needed as input in ECMWF weather forecasting models, whereas "skin temperature" are needed in climatological studies. Actually in order to improve climatic models, an accuracy of 0.3 deg. K is required over a 2 deg. lat/long grid and a time interval of 15 days. This accuracy is needed in particular for detecting the estimated decadal warming trend of 0.25 deg. K. (Ref. Tropical Oceans Global Atmosphere program - TOGA)

(See also ATSR spectral characteristics and SST expected accuracy)

• A bias of -0.03 deg. K (SST lower than bulk temperature) and a rms scatter of 0.36 deg. K have been obtained in a global study by comparing ATSR SST (skin temperature) to bulk temperatures measured from buoys. The data have been averaged over 0.5 deg. lat/long grid; bulk temperatures were measured within +/- 3 hours of ERS-1 overpass. SST night values have derived by means of a dual-view three-window algorithm; lower accuracy has been obtained by using SST daytime values. (Mutlow et al., 1994).
• A bias of -0.42 deg. K and a rms scatter of 0.25 deg. K have been obtained, in a global study, by comparing ATSR SST (skin temperature) to bulk temperatures measured from buoys. (Harris et al., 1995)
• A bias of 0.20 deg. K (with ATSR values higher than radiometer measurements) and a minimum scatter of 0.2 deg. K have been obtained, in a regional study, by comparing ATSR SST to SST measured from ship radiometer.(Barton et al., 1995)
• Cloud contamination in ATSR ASST products has been investigated and cloud filtering methods have been proposed. (Jones et al., 1996)

Barton, I.J., A.J. Prata, and R.P. Cechet, "Validation of the ATSR in the Australian waters", J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 12, 290-300, 1995.

Harris, A.R., M.A. Saunders, J.S. Foot, K.S. Smith, and C.T. Mutlow, "Improved sea surface temperature from space", Geophys. Res. Lett., 22, 2159-2162, 1995.

Jones, S.J., M.A. Saunders, and T.H. Guymer, "Global remnant cloud contamination in the along-track scanning radiometer data: Source and removal", J. Geophys. Res., 101, C5, 141-12, 147, 1996.

Mutlow, C.T., A.M. Zavody, I.J. Barton, and D.T. Llewellyn-Jones, "Sea surface temperature measurements by the along-track scanning radiometer on the ERS-1 satellite: early results", J. Geophys. Res., 99, 22, 575-22, 588, 1994.

ERS ATSR references at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Keywords: ESA European Space Agency - Agence spatiale europeenne, observation de la terre, earth observation, satellite remote sensing, teledetection, geophysique, altimetrie, radar, chimique atmospherique, geophysics, altimetry, radar, atmospheric chemistry