ATOVS

ATOVS stands for Advanced TOVS, which is a series of advanced infrared and microwave sounding instruments flown on meteorological satellites. TOVS, the original system, was first launched in 1978. ATOVS represents the evolution and enhancement of this technology, with several generations of instruments deployed on various satellite platforms, including NOAA's polar-orbiting satellites and Europe's MetOp satellites.

The primary purpose of ATOVS instruments is to measure atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles from the Earth's surface up to the stratosphere. These measurements are crucial for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The system typically comprises several different sensors. The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) provides cloud imagery and surface information. The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) measures microwave radiation emitted by oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere, allowing for temperature and humidity retrievals even through clouds, which is a significant advantage over infrared-only systems. The High-resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS) provides infrared measurements that complement the microwave data, offering higher vertical resolution in clear air.

The data collected by ATOVS instruments is assimilated into numerical weather prediction models, significantly improving their accuracy. These sounders provide essential information about the three-dimensional structure of the atmosphere, helping meteorologists understand and predict weather phenomena such as storms, fronts, and temperature changes. The continuous deployment of ATOVS and its successors ensures a long-term, consistent dataset for climate research, enabling the study of long-term atmospheric trends and variability.