1. Overview of the AATSR Validation Programme
Marianne Edwards
Space Research Centre
University of Leicester

2. AATSR Validation Programme Aims and Objectives
Initial Validation
- To determine whether the AATSR instrument is returning an acceptable global skin SST (±0.3 K)
- To make an initial assessment of the quality of AATSR SST products in a limited number of sites and seasons, including ATSR-2/AATSR cross validation
- To assess the accuracy of the AATSR data retrieved over land
Ongoing validation
- To make a detailed assessment of the quality of AATSR SST products in an increasing number of sites and seasons
- To monitor the quality of AATSR data products over the duration of the mission
- To validate any new AATSR products

3. AATSR validation strategy
Algorithm verification
Validation of the L2 SST product
Three levels:-
Global comparison of AATSR data against buoys and SST analysis fields
Validation using in situ measurements from precision radiometers running autonomously
Validation using in situ measurements from precision radiometers on dedicated cruises
Validation of visible/near infrared channels from the L1b product
Vicarious validation over land and cloud targets
Ground based measurements

4. Envisat Cal/Val Organisation

5. AATSR ‘Calibration’ Team

6. AATSR Validation Team

7. AATSR Validation Team Organisation
Coordinated by Validation Scientist at Leicester, on behalf of DEFRA
Team meetings
3 Validation team meetings (02/04/01, 28/01/02, 07/11/02)
MAVT meetings (15/03/00, 15/11/00, 19/07/01)
Reporting
Since August 2002
Weekly reporting of the validation team to the VS
Weekly reporting by the VS to ESA and DEFRA, and the validation team.
Monthly reporting of the validation team and the VS
Information dissemination via the AATSR validation website

9. Validation activities, May to Validation Workshop

10. Large number of in situ validation measurements
Summary
Large number of in situ validation measurements
8 dedicated validation cruises
6 instruments running autonomously
Limited number of validation results to date, due to delay in data distribution
Now that AATSR data are being received, validation results are being produced