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Atmospheric Remote Sensing
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:30
Abstract
The course will provide advanced physical understanding on the fundamentals of passive and active remote sensing, measuring sensors and retrieval methods. A series of diverse remote sensing applications will be presented, including measurements/retrievals of various atmospheric composition parameters (ozone, aerosols, clouds, others) from surface based and satellite based instruments.
Objective
Main objectives of the course and what the students will be able to explain and use at the end of it are: - The major atmospheric laws used for the retrieval of atmospheric composition and solar radiation parameters - Ground based and satellite based retrieval examples for major atmospheric constituents - Practical and experimental aspects on measuring atmospheric aerosols through the use of relevant instrumentation - Explore major atmospheric measurement databases and use of the available data -Interpretation of measurement and retrieval related results on atmospheric composition and solar radiation based on using combined retrieval data products
Content
Atmospheric passive and active remote sensing is connected with a large number of applications including: atmospheric composition, Earth-atmosphere radiative balance, atmospheric and weather prediction model assimilation, agriculture, energy and health related applications and many others. The proposed lesson is divided in three sections including exercises: • Fundamentals of remote sensing • Sensors (surface based and satellites) and retrieval methods • Applications The first aim of the lecture is to provide an in-depth understand of the physical aspects and basic laws on the fundamentals of remote sensing to the students. The lectures will provide a basic to intermediate understanding of radiative transfer of electromagnetic radiation through the atmosphere, covering the spectrum from UV to thermal. Examples of atmospheric components that will be addressed are: ozone, aerosols, greenhouse gases, clouds, water vapor. In addition, measuring sensors used from the surface or from satellites and the relevant retrieval methods based on passive and active remote sensing of atmospheric composition will be presented (e.g. Spectroradiometers, filter radiometers, Lidars and others). Finally, we aim to demonstrate a series of diverse remote sensing applications, including atmospheric composition measurements and retrievals from surface- and satellite-based instruments, including calibration and validation aspects. The exercises will be embedded in the overall course lectures to provide hands-on experience with the measurements and retrieval methods conducting measurements and organiying small field experiments. Also with the use of atmospheric datasets available from specific instruments (e.g. satellite sensors) and networks (e.g. AERONET, GAWPFR). More specific the course include: - 3 introductory courses on climate variables, sensors, solar measurements and radiative transfer basics - 7 courses including reomote sensing techniques on solar UV measurements, total column ozone, trace gases, greenhouse gases, aerosols, cloud retrievals and lidar active remote sensing. -3 exercises: a. Conducting sun photometric measurements in the field and retrieve aerosol optical depth, including a visit in Davos, World Calibration Center b. Exploring ground and satellite based solar UV, Ozone and aerosol measurements c. Using radiative transfer modeling tools Finally, students are involved on presenting scientific literature on subjects they are interested in. All exercises are conducted in student-forming teams
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture slides will be provided via Moodle before every lecture.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Atmospheric Remote Sensing |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Fachspezifische Vertiefung (Es müssen mindestens 20 KP aus den Deep Track Lerneinheiten absolviert werden. Überzählige KP können für Wahlfächer angerechnet werden.)
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Vertiefungsfächer Earth Observation (Diese LE's können sowohl als Vertiefungsfach als auch als Wahlfach angerechnet werden.)
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Vertiefungsfächer Planetary Science (Diese LE's können sowohl als Vertiefungsfach als auch als Wahlfach angerechnet werden.)
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