Retrieval of atmospheric parameters and radiative properties using Far-Infrared remote sensing measurements

The far-infrared (FIR) spectral region, covering wavelengths between 15 µm (667 cm−1) and about 1 µm (10,000cm−1) plays a critical role in the climate system. A good knowledge of the radiation processes in this spectral region is of high interest for observations and understanding of heating and cooling rates, and global energy balance. Even though approximately 50% of terrestrial radiation occurs in the FIR and despite the critical FIR contribution to the Earth’s energy balance, this spectral region has been only studied by a few number of instruments. Also the full FIR spectral region has not ever been directly observed from space.