Formation of a Virtual Laboratory for Diagnosing the Earth's Climate System- Construction of Globally-Merged Geostationary Satellites Dataset M. K. Yamamoto, A. Higuchi, H. Takenaka, F. Nishio, T. Takamura, and H. Kuze
Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University, Japan

Abstract

One of the best advantages of the earth observations by a geostationary satellite is the capability of obtaining
visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) data with high resolution in both space and time. By combining the multiple IRchannels, not only the heights but also types of clouds can be identified. However, there has been no global dataset of the VIS and multiple IR channels because of difficulties in the data calibration among different satellite
sensors and in handling huge data volume. As one of the main targets of the ongoing project, "Formation of avirtual laboratory for diagnosing the earth's climate system", the globally-merged geostationary satellites dataset
is being constructed. This dataset provides 1 hour temporal resolution and spatial resolution of 0.04° for 2 or 3
IR channels and 0.01° for the VIS channel, in a latitude range of ±60°. In addition, global radiation data will bederived from the dataset by utilizing some radiative models. In this way, this dataset will greatly contribute tostudies on precipitation/cloud characteristics and validations of numerical models.

GCM
Initial value
Boundary value

In order to diagnose the earth's climate system under severe stress such as a global
warming, the cooperative research centers (CCSR, Tokyo Univ., HyARC, Nagoya Univ.,
CAOS, Tohoku Univ., and CEReS, Chiba Univ.) construct "Virtual Laboratory", and research climate and environmental studies cooperatively with properties of each center(Figs. 1, 2). Each center provides datasets about global warming materials, aerosols, microphysical parameters, vegetation indices, and precipitation system structures, develops
the regional and global circulation models to analyze the earth's climate systems accurately, and educate young researchers in this field. Synergy of the cooperative researches establish diagnostic method in climate system.
As a part of this project, CEReS constructs and publishes the globally-merged geostationary satellites dataset. This dataset will contribute to studies on precipitation/cloud characteristics and validations of numerical models.

Satelliteobservation

Data output(cloud amount, heating)Observed Data
( cloud amount, water content,cloud water, ice water)

PDF of precipitation

Observed data
(temporal data at super site)

GCM(CReSS)

PurposeObserved data(cloud amount, watercontent, surface)

Mechanisms
Observed data
(Precipitation etc.)

Observed Data
(surface situation)

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the "Virtual Laboratory" by the 4 cooperative research centers.

Understanding of environmental
changes in Asia and global regions
by satellite observation data

Center for Environmental Remote
Sensing, Chiba Univ.
Satellite and Surface observation Data
Archivewater and heat circulation, desertification, land
cover change, air pollution, yellow sand,glaciospheric change

Combination or synergy ofthe spatiotemporal
information for earth surface
environment by satellite data

Satellite products
Site management

Biosphere

SKYNET, vegetation, primary productCooperation to research
institutes

Construction of infrastructure forearth environmental information inmulti scale

JAXA, NIES, RIHN, ITB
National Univ. of Mongolia
Churalongkon Univ.

Globally-Merged Geostationary Satellites Dataset

Hydrosphere,
Glaciosphere

Atmosphere

Goal- Archive earth observation satellite data such as AVHRR, MODIS, GMS, GOES,MTSAT, and FY2- Publish the satellite data as a geolocated easy-handling format- Develop a retrieval algorithms for radiative budget at the top of atmosphere andat the surface and for a primary product derived from vegetations (i.e. fAPARand biomass) using satellite observation data
- Validate the retrieved product by surface observation network (SKYNET)- Identify the signals of environmental variations in land (vegetation, ice etc.)
cover and use from the long-term (about 30 years) satellite data and interpretmechanisms from the interaction among climate, vegetation, and humanactivities

Surfaceobservationfrom local to global scale
multi-layer satellite information by GIS
high-accuracy and high quality in situ data

Geosphere

Exchange of observed data,
analyzed data, and model
outputs
CAOS, Tohoku Univ.
CCSR, Tokyo Univ.
HyARC, Nagoya Univ.

Figure 2. Schematic diagram of research cooperation in CEReS, Chiba Univ.

Geostationary satellite observation is a powerful tool to monitor the Earth system by visible and infrared
data with wide area and high resolutions in space and time. Since the single satellite can not cover theglobal area (Fig. 3), it is difficult to compare the regional differences in cloud systems. An globally-merged
geostationary satellite dataset has been published. However, there are just one IR channel. The globallymerged dataset in visible and multiple infrared channels are strongly requested by a climate model
research groups and satellite data user communities.
Major tasks of the CEReS are to archive and supply the satellite observation data. The CEReS equips
receiving systems from satellite and cooperate institutions and get satellite observation data. The globallymerged geostationary satellites dataset in visible, IR1, IR2, and water vapor channels will be establishedand published in near future (Fig. 4).
Each satellite data has been constructed and published. Gridded MTSAT data is put on

GOES-W(U. S. A.)

180°

150° W

150° E

120° WMTSAT(Japan)
120° E
FY2(China)

ftp://mtsat-1r.cr.chiba-u.ac.jp/grid-MTSAT-1.01/

90° E

90° WxGOES-Wx

GOES-ExMSGx

METEOSATx

FY2x

GOES-E(U. S. A.)
60° E

60° W

MTSAT

30° W

Figure 4. Geophysical distribution of brightness temperature in IR1 at Aug. 1. 2005 00Z using NCEP/CPC 4km Global IR Dataset provided by the NASA GSFC DAAC.

30° E

METEOSAT
(EU)

0°MSG
(EU)
Figure 3. Position above the main geostationary meteorological satellites.

Estimation of radiative budget
It is important for the earth's climate system diagnostics to retrieve the earth's radiative budget accurately. CEReS develop
the retrieval algorithms using geostationary meteorological satellites. publish the various parameters of atmosphericradiation, and investigate global radiative budget.

SW flux at the TOA

SW flux at the surface

SW flux at the surface (Direct)

SW flux at the surface (Scatter)PAR flux at the surface

PAR flux at the surface (Scatter)
Figure 5. Examples of retrieval products of radiative
budget derived from MT-SAT data.

UV-A flux at the surface

UV-A flux at the surface (Scatter)

UV-B flux at the surface

UV-B flux at the surface (Scatter)

Upward SW flux at the TOA