Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1823
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1823
10 Jul 2024
 | 10 Jul 2024

Using neural networks for near-real-time aerosol retrievals from OMPS Limb Profiler measurements

Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova

Abstract. Among aerosol characterization methods, limb scattering measurements provide both near-global coverage and information about how aerosol is vertically distributed through the atmosphere. Near-real-time characterization of aerosols produced by volcanic eruptions is particularly important for aviation safety, but the radiative transfer modeling of scattering processes performed by traditional retrieval methods are too computationally expensive for near-real-time applications without simplifying assumptions. Here we present a near-real-time approach based on neural networks (NNs) for aerosol retrievals from the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite's Limb Profiler (OMPS LP) instrument aboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite. We find it is at least 60 times faster than the current operational code and on average achieves agreement within 20 % at most altitudes and latitudes with sensitivity and non-negligible aerosol abundances. We also apply our trained NNs to measurements of the recent Shiveluch and Ruang eruptions from NOAA-21's OMPS LP and find results consistent with the operational retrieval algorithm, indicating our methodology generalizes to future iterations of the same instrument without re-training the NNs.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Atmospheric Measurement Techniques.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

13 Jun 2025
Using neural networks for near-real-time aerosol retrievals from OMPS Limb Profiler measurements
Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2523–2536, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2523-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2523-2025, 2025
Short summary
Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1823', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1823', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Dec 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1823', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1823', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Dec 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Michael Himes on behalf of the Authors (09 Jan 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (24 Jan 2025) by Linlu Mei
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (28 Jan 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (06 Mar 2025)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (15 Mar 2025) by Linlu Mei
AR by Michael Himes on behalf of the Authors (20 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

13 Jun 2025
Using neural networks for near-real-time aerosol retrievals from OMPS Limb Profiler measurements
Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2523–2536, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2523-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2523-2025, 2025
Short summary
Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova

Data sets

Research compendium Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11477425

Video supplement

Animation of the V2.1 and NRT average retrieved extinction coefficient between 19.5–21.5 km at 997 nm for the 2024 Ruang eruptions Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11641540

Michael D. Himes, Ghassan Taha, Daniel Kahn, Tong Zhu, and Natalya A. Kramarova

Viewed

Total article views: 471 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
324 117 30 471 28 26
  • HTML: 324
  • PDF: 117
  • XML: 30
  • Total: 471
  • BibTeX: 28
  • EndNote: 26
Views and downloads (calculated since 10 Jul 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 10 Jul 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 478 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 478 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 13 Jun 2025
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite's Limb Profiler (OMPS LP) provides near-global coverage and information about how aerosols from volcanic eruptions and major wildfires are vertically distributed through the atmosphere. We developed a machine learning method to characterize aerosols using OMPS LP measurements about 60 times faster than the current approach. This near-real-time characterization can be used to ensure aviation flight paths avoid dangerous conditions.
Share