The 2016 CEOS infrared radiometer comparison: Part 2: Laboratory comparison of radiation thermometers.

AbstractTo ensure confidence, measurements carried out by imaging radiometers mounted on satellites require robust validation using ‘fiducial quality’ measurements of the same ‘in-situ’ parameter. For surface temperature measurements this is optimally carried out by radiometers measuring radiation emitted in the infrared region of the spectrum, co-located to that of a satellite overpass. For ocean surface temperatures the radiometers are usually on-board ships to sample large areas but for Land and Ice they are typically deployed at defined geographical sites. It is of course critical that the validation measurements and associated instrumentation are internationally consistent and traceable to international standards. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) facilitates this process and over the last two decades has organised a series of comparisons, initially to develop and share best practise, but now to assess metrological uncertainties and degree of consistency of all the participants. Th...