5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[AAS07-P03] Overview of Validation Activities for Level 2 Data Product of the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE)
Keywords:EarthCARE, Validation, Cloud, Aerosol, Radiation
The EarthCARE satellite (Japanese name: Hakuryu) is a collaborative mission between Japan and Europe, successfully launched on May 28, 2024 (UTC), aboard the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. The satellite is equipped with advanced instruments, including the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) developed by Japan, and three European instruments: the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID), the Multispectral Imager (MSI), and the Broadband Radiometer (BBR).
JAXA and ESA have developed Level 2 (L2) geophysical products individually with continuous exchange of information between Japan and Europe scientists. The presentation covers validation of the JAXA L2 products. The EarthCARE L2 products are categorized into two types: L2a products, derived from a single sensor, and L2b products, created through synergistic use of multiple sensors. L2a products and CPR-ATLID synergistic L2b products are scheduled for release in March 2025, while other L2b products will be released in November-December timeframe. After the provision of JAXA L2 product begins, it is planned to be announced through the JAXA/EORC EarthCARE website (https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/EARTHCARE/index.html) and other channels.
EarthCARE mission aims to: (1) Enhance scientific understanding of climate change mechanisms related to clouds and aerosols through the analysis of EarthCARE observation data. (2) Support climate adaptation strategies by incorporating these mechanisms into climate models. (3) Facilitate operational applications in numerical weather prediction and atmospheric environmental monitoring through reliable EarthCARE products.
To achieve these EarthCARE mission objectives, high-accuracy Level 2 data products are essential. The core activity for securing data quality is product validation. Validation activities are conducted by the JAXA EarthCARE Validation Team, consisting of experts from universities and research institutions, primarily Principal Investigators (PIs) of JAXA’s Research Announcement on the Earth Observations. The validation employs diverse datasets, including ground-based network observations, satellite data, and aircraft campaigns. For early validation, emphasis is placed on sample size, leveraging satellite and ground-based network observations. Additionally, intensive validation efforts are being conducted using specialized instruments, such as radars, lidars and other instruments installed at the NICT headquarters in Koganei, Japan.
International collaboration is a cornerstone of the EarthCARE validation activity, involving a key partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) for sharing validation-related information, promoting exchanges between European and Japanese researchers through the jointly organized international workshops. We also corporate with the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for sharing ground-based and aircraft campaign dataset as well as scientific expertise to support robust validation.
This presentation will highlight the progress and preliminary results of validation activities for EarthCARE Level 2 products.
JAXA and ESA have developed Level 2 (L2) geophysical products individually with continuous exchange of information between Japan and Europe scientists. The presentation covers validation of the JAXA L2 products. The EarthCARE L2 products are categorized into two types: L2a products, derived from a single sensor, and L2b products, created through synergistic use of multiple sensors. L2a products and CPR-ATLID synergistic L2b products are scheduled for release in March 2025, while other L2b products will be released in November-December timeframe. After the provision of JAXA L2 product begins, it is planned to be announced through the JAXA/EORC EarthCARE website (https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/EARTHCARE/index.html) and other channels.
EarthCARE mission aims to: (1) Enhance scientific understanding of climate change mechanisms related to clouds and aerosols through the analysis of EarthCARE observation data. (2) Support climate adaptation strategies by incorporating these mechanisms into climate models. (3) Facilitate operational applications in numerical weather prediction and atmospheric environmental monitoring through reliable EarthCARE products.
To achieve these EarthCARE mission objectives, high-accuracy Level 2 data products are essential. The core activity for securing data quality is product validation. Validation activities are conducted by the JAXA EarthCARE Validation Team, consisting of experts from universities and research institutions, primarily Principal Investigators (PIs) of JAXA’s Research Announcement on the Earth Observations. The validation employs diverse datasets, including ground-based network observations, satellite data, and aircraft campaigns. For early validation, emphasis is placed on sample size, leveraging satellite and ground-based network observations. Additionally, intensive validation efforts are being conducted using specialized instruments, such as radars, lidars and other instruments installed at the NICT headquarters in Koganei, Japan.
International collaboration is a cornerstone of the EarthCARE validation activity, involving a key partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) for sharing validation-related information, promoting exchanges between European and Japanese researchers through the jointly organized international workshops. We also corporate with the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for sharing ground-based and aircraft campaign dataset as well as scientific expertise to support robust validation.
This presentation will highlight the progress and preliminary results of validation activities for EarthCARE Level 2 products.