The OMPS Limb Profiler Environmental Data Record Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and Expected Performance

The retrieval algorithm for the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Limb Profiler is described. The goal of the OMPS Limb Profiler is to produce high quality vertical profiles of ozone in the stratosphere and upper troposphere. Additional products include aerosol extinction vertical profiles together with an estimate of the Angstrom coefficient, cloud top height and $\hbox{NO}_{2}$ column density. The ozone retrieval algorithm relies on the optimal estimation approach, and uses the Pair/Triplet methodology. Estimates of bias and random errors are presented, together with a brief description of the operational code output products and the planned validation.

I. Introduction

The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Limb Profiler (LP) mission was designed to measure the ozone vertical distribution within the earth middle atmosphere at sufficient accuracy/precision to provide the community with data of Climate Data Record (CDR) quality. The OMPS/LP is one of the three sensors making up the OMPS suite of instruments as described by [1]. The first OMPS was launched by NASA in fall 2011 on board the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) spacecraft, formerly named the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft. The present paper summarizes the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) for the OMPS/LP and describes the approach used to retrieve vertical ozone profiles from the measured Limb Scatter (LS) radiance data.