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Remote sensing

Breakthrough in Remote Sensing: New Algorithm Enables Simultaneous Retrieval of Aerosol Properties

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center have developed a novel algorithm, MAIAC, that enables the simultaneous retrieval of aerosol optical depth, spectral absorption, and layer height (ALH) from DSCOVR EPIC observations in the UV-Vis-NIR spectral range. This breakthrough has significant implications for Earth system modeling and air quality applications. The new capability has recently been completed reprocessing of the EPIC record covering the period of 2015-2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MAIAC algorithm uses a synergy between the UV and O2 A,B-bands to enhance sensitivity to the height of aerosol layer and retrieves it simultaneously with other major aerosol properties.
  • The algorithm has been validated globally for the overlapping EPIC-CALIOP CALIPSO period using the CALIPSO total backscatter weighted height, showing a robust performance with global RMSE 1.1 km and 60%-77% of retrievals within EE = ±1 km.
  • The retrieved ALH is lower than CALIOP ALHC by 0.45-0.75 km over land and is unbiased over the ocean.
  • The new products are designed to support both the Earth system modeling and the air quality applications and are part of the version 3 MAIAC EPIC algorithm.
  • The research has shown an accuracy of AOD with correlation coefficient R 0.71-0.73, RMSE 0.4, and expected error EE 20% when compared to the full EPIC data record (mid-2015-2025) and AERONET inversion data.

Statistics:

  • Global RMSE for ALH validation: 1.1 km
  • Percentage of retrievals within EE = ±1 km: 60-77%
  • RMSE over land for CALIOP ALHC: 1.3-2.1 km
  • Expected error for AOD: 20%
  • Correlation coefficient R for AOD: 0.71-0.73
  • RMSE for AOD: 0.4
  • Bias for SSA at 443 and 680 nm: ±0.01

Sources:

  • Simultaneous retrieval of aerosol optical depth, spectral absorption and layer height from DSCOVR EPIC using MAIAC algorithm. Frontiers in Remote Sensing, 2025,6
  • doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3389/frsen.2025.1677438
  • Alexei Lyapustin, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States
  • Myungje Choi, Yujie Wang, Sergey Korkin, Edward Hyer, Alexander Marshak (Additional authors)
  • NewsRx. Research from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Has Provided New Data on Remote Sensing (Simultaneous retrieval of aerosol optical depth, spectral absorption and layer height from DSCOVR EPIC using MAIAC algorithm). Life Science Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 5165.

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