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Data Products: Aerosol Particle Size

Download product algorithm theoretical basis document (ATBD)
Example comparison of the retrieved Ångström Exponent (proxy for particle size) using the ABI (green) and MODIS (pink) algorithms with ground-based AERONET observations over land (left) and over ocean (right) for the years 2000-2009.

Example comparison of the retrieved Ångström exponent (proxy for particle size) using the ABI (green) and MODIS (pink) algorithms with ground-based AERONET observations over land (left) and over ocean (right) for the years 2000-2009.

The aerosol particle size product will be derived for every clear pixel using the retrieved aerosol optical depth product and two pairs of ABI spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. By comparing the reflectances of the different wavelengths, various aerosol properties including size can be calculated. The Ångström exponent, which describes the wavelength dependence of aerosol optical depth, is used as a proxy for aerosol particle size. Larger values of the Ångström exponent indicate smaller size particles and vice versa.