Christopher, SA, Zhang, JL (2002). Shortwave aerosol radiative forcing from MODIS and CERES observations over the oceans. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 29(18), 1859.

Abstract
[1] Using spatially and temporally collocated data sets from the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on the Terra satellite, a new strategy is presented for studying the Shortwave Aerosol Radiative Forcing (SWARF) over the global oceans. Using collocated data, for September 2000, the global averaged optical thickness (tau(0.55)) for cloud-free CERES pixels is 0.07 with a SWARF of -6 Wm(-2). The tau(0.55) and SWARF values derived from two independent instruments are in excellent agreement with the following relationship: SWARF = 0.35-105.34tau(0.55) + 61.47tau(0.55)(2) (0 less than or equal to tau(0.55) less than or equal to 0.7) Wm(-2). The synergistic use of the MODIS and CERES data sets can be used to provide independent estimates of SWARF, and can be used as a validation tool for studies that attempt to model the role of aerosols on climate.

DOI:
10.1029/2002GL014803

ISSN:
0094-8276