Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer global aerosol product assessment by comparison with the Aerosol Robotic Network

A statistical approach is used to assess the quality of the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) version 22 (V22) aerosol products. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval results are improved relative to the early postlaunch values reported by [Kahn et al. (2005)], which varied with particle type category. Overall, about 70% to 75% of MISR AOD retrievals fall within 0.05 or 20% × AOD of the paired validation data from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), and about 50% to 55% are within 0.03 or 10% × AERONET AOD, except at sites where dust or mixed dust and smoke are commonly found. Retrieved particle microphysical properties amount to categorical values, such as three size groupings: “small,” “medium,”…