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Absolute Calibration in Bass Strait, Australia: TOPEX, Jason-1 and OSTM/Jason-2

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 09:42 authored by Christopher WatsonChristopher Watson, White, N, Church, J, Burgette, R, Tregoning, P, Richard ColemanRichard Coleman
Updated absolute bias estimates are presented from the Bass Strait calibration site Australia) for the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P), Jason-1 and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM/Jason-2) altimeter missions. Results from the TOPEX side A and side B data show biases insignificantly different from zero when assessed against our error budget (−15 ± 20 mm, and −6 ± 18 mm, respectively). Jason-1 shows a considerably higher absolute bias of +93 ± 15 mm, indicating that the observed sea surface is higher (or the range shorter), than truth. For OSTM/Jason-2, the absolute bias is further increased to +172 ± 18 mm (determined from T/GDR data, cycles 001–079). Enhancements made to the Jason-1 and OSTM/Jason-2 microwave radiometer derived products for correcting path delays induced by the wet troposphere are shown to benefit the bias estimate at the Bass Strait site through the reduction of land contamination. We note small shifts to bias estimates when using the enhanced products, changing the biases by+11 and+3 mm for Jason-1 and OSTM/Jason-2, respectively. The significant, and as yet poorly understood, absolute biases observed for both Jason series altimeters reinforces the continued need for further investigation of the measurement systems and ongoing monitoring via in situ calibration sites.

History

Publication title

Marine Geodesy: An International Journal of Ocean Surveys, Mapping and Sensing

Volume

34

Issue

3-4

Pagination

242-260

ISSN

0149-0419

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Inc

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Understanding climate change not elsewhere classified

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