AMSU-A2 introduction TOTAL

The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit–A2 (AMSU-A2) is one of the complement of American instruments provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fly on MetOp-1, 2 and 3.

The AMSU-A2 measures scene radiance in the microwave spectrum. The data from this instrument is used in conjunction with the High-Resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS/4) instrument to calculate the global atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles from the Earth's surface to the upper stratosphere, approximately at 2 millibar pressure altitude (48 km or 28 mi). The data is used to provide precipitation and surface measurements including snow cover, sea ice concentration, and soil moisture.

AMSU-A2 is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), developed by Northrop Grumman (former Aerojet), Los Angeles, USA.