Remote sensing research in the branch includes the use of satellite data for estimating atmospheric water vapor, trace gases, aerosol particles, clouds, and precipitation. In addition, satellite data are used to study the radiative and dynamical processes that affect the climate of the Earth. Branch scientists also participate in the design of future satellite systems. Satellite observations are used to study the distribution of ozone and water vapor. These trace gases have a significant greenhouse effect.
Ozone affects the intensity of the UV radiation on the Earth's surface.
Ozone measurements from the TOMS ultraviolet radiometer on NASA's Nimbus 7 satellite are being collected and compared with ozone measurements from the TOVS infrared radiometer on NOAA's weather satellites, and the ground-based Dobson ozone spectrometer network. In addition, upper air water vapor is observed in the 6.7 micrometer band from NOAA polar orbiters. These measurements have revealed new information regarding the evolution and development of events such as El Nino Southern Oscillations, consistent with results based on in situ and analyzed data. Analysis of the microwave data also has yielded valuable information on rainfall rates over the oceans. Fires are detected in teh 3.75 micrometer channel, aerosol concentration and cloud reflectance in the 0.64 micrometer channel.