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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 ColemanUpdated 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 SensingVolume
34Issue
3-4Pagination
242-260ISSN
0149-0419Department/School
School of Geography, Planning and Spatial SciencesPublisher
Taylor & Francis IncPlace of publication
United StatesRights statement
Copyright 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Repository Status
- Restricted