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Randy -- This is a tough question, since there is a lack of detail in most of the "standard_name" entries that I looked at. It seems to me that what you want to do is to make certain that the user of the data understands exactly what was taken into account (and what was not)...which tells me this does not have to be a "machine readable" description. I see a few possible options: 1. create a new standard_name which clarifies these matters 2. modify the current one (if appropriate...?) 3. use either the long_name or the "comment" to provide the particulars Also, your question about who (or what programs) might be currently using this is probably impossible to answer -- but I would bet at least the person who made the entry initially and perhaps they can be contacted. I hope this helps get others to provide some input on this issue... tom On Tue, Jun 26, 2012 at 5:44 PM, Randy Horne <rhorne@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Folks: > > I am working the GOES-R program. We have a few very specific questions on > the use of a standard name (toa_bidirectional_reflectance): > > The top of atmosphere (TOA) reflectance is a key product from satellite > observations but is > often ambiguous as a result of the many non-standard definitions used > throughout the > community. The CF standard name table includes > "toa_bidirectional_reflectance" as a unitless > quantity that is the ratio of the reflected to incident energy. However, the > details of this > quantity are not completely clear. > > (1) > Does it include an integration of solid angle - i.e., introducing a factor > of PI for Lambertian surface? Does it include or exclude the cosine > (SZA) factor that is often omitted from imagery (and that allows a direct > scaling from radiance to > reflectance)? > > (2) What programs have already adopted the "toa_bidirectional_reflectance" > and how can one ensure that the convention is being used consistently with > respect to the above questions? > > very respectfully, > > randy > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > cf-satellite mailing list > cf-satellite@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > For list information or to unsubscribe, visit: > http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/mailing_lists/ > -- Tom Whittaker University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science & Engineering Center (SSEC) Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) 1225 W. Dayton Street Madison, WI 53706 USA ph: +1 608 262 2759
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