The RACE-ECV project leverages a suite of high-accuracy instruments to conduct aerosol and solar radiation measurements that are critical for validating the EarthCARE satellite mission. These instruments are deployed during two intensive field campaigns in the Eastern Mediterranean region (Crete and Athens) and undergo rigorous intercalibration procedures to ensure measurement traceability and consistency.
Instrumentation from PMOD/WRC
- Precision Filter Radiometers (PFR)Part of the Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW-PFR) network, these sun-tracking instruments retrieve multi-wavelength aerosol optical depth (AOD) with world-standard accuracy.
2.BiTec Spectrometer System (BTS)This system includes two spectrometers measuring direct solar spectral irradiance from 300 to 2150 nm with high spectral resolution. It is used for spectral aerosol characterization and radiative transfer input.
- Broadband Radiometers
Pyranometers: Measure total and diffuse shortwave solar irradiance (300-3000 nm)
Pyrgeometers: Measure longwave irradiance
These are essential for evaluating total solar energy flux at the surface.
- Radiative Transfer Modeling Tools
LibRadtran: Simulates radiation transfer using measured atmospheric data
Used for radiation closure studies and to assess EarthCARE broadband radiometer (BBR) outputs.
Instrumentation from University of Zurich (UZH)
- Total Horizontal SpectroradiometerCaptures total spectral irradiance from 350 to ~2200 nm using a skyward-looking integrating sphere.
- Shadowband SpectroradiometerProvides diffuse and total horizontal spectral irradiance data (1851 bands). Useful for separating direct vs. diffuse components.
- Mobile Multiband Radiometer (Microtops II)Used for portable AOD and water vapor retrieval during campaign mobility operations.
- Weather StationMonitors temperature, humidity, and wind to support contextual data analysis and model parameterization.
- Eradiate Radiative Transfer ToolA 3D radiative transfer modeling platform used to analyze complex atmospheric scenes, especially involving clouds and aerosols.
Measurement Strategy
Measurements are concentrated around EarthCARE satellite overpasses and ACROSS flight campaigns. Instrumentation records:
Direct, diffuse, and total solar spectral irradiance
Aerosol optical properties (AOD, absorption, scattering)
Cloud optical thickness (via model inversion and surface irradiance)
Sky cameras and high-resolution spectrometers contribute to scene classification and atmospheric condition tracking.
Data Processing & Calibration
All instruments are intercalibrated at PMOD/WRC using world-reference standards before and after each campaign.
Post-campaign processing steps:
Preliminary quality checks and noise filtering
Application of calibration factors
Integration into shared database for EarthCARE validation partners
Final datasets are openly shared and will support multiple studies on satellite validation, aerosol modeling, and radiative flux calculations.
Core Data Outputs
Spectral and broadband irradiance time series
AOD across multiple wavelengths
Modeled vs. measured radiation closure results
Cloud and aerosol case study scenes for model development
These robust, high-accuracy data products form the backbone of RACE-ECV’s contribution to satellite validation science, enabling rigorous, traceable comparisons with EarthCARE observations.
RACE-ECV 