Global distribution of maximum land surface temperature inferred from satellites

Satellite-borne infrared radiometers are currently used to determine the surface temperature of the earth. These sensors often saturate over very hot surfaces because of restrictions in the digital electronics used to record the signals. Regions of the earth's land surface where surface temperatures exceed a prescribed maximum temperature are determined using a global land surface temperature data set. These maps are used to daignose times and places where a satellite-borne sensor is likely to encounter saturation. The implications of this study for the Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) are described and some possible solutions are suggested.