Abstract
Images of atmospheric column water vapour derived from backscattered solar radiation measured by the biospectroradiometer B of the Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS) are introduced. The method for derivation is based upon the technique of the Continuum Interpolated Band Radio (CIBR) for the 940 nm absorption band. A correction algorithm for the underestimation of the water vapour content due to low reflecting surface cover was applied. The instrument measures radiation in the 400-1010 nm region in 13 channels of 10 nm bandwidth and has a ground IFOV of 520 m x 520 m. The retrieved water vapour values were compared to radiosonde data. The derived equations are applicable over cloud-free land surfaces (separated in nonvegetation and vegetation cover) of the midlatitude regions with only small elevations (e.g., agricultural areas).