On-Orbit Data Verification and Application of FY-4A Lightning Imager

Abstract

The FY-4A Lightning Imager (FY-4A LMI) is the optical payload of lightning detection in geostationary orbit developed by China (and also the first optical payload of lightning detection). It is one of the first two lightning imageries of geostationary meteorological satellites in the world and fills the gap of space-based lightning optical detection in China. FY-4A was launched on December 11, 2016. Other indicators are basically consistent with European MTG-LI and American GOES R-GLM. The LMI field of view covers China and its surrounding areas. The real-time observation of total lightning in China and its surrounding areas can solve the lack of observation ability in mountain areas and oceans. The real-time observation of severe convective weather phenomena can provide a basis for lightning forecast and global climate change research and also provide a basis for the strong convective weather in the mainland of China and its surrounding areas. Observing, forecasting and researching provide necessary scientific data and provide scientific basis for the research of global atmospheric circulation. The success of FY-4A LMI is a major technological breakthrough in lightning space-based detection in China. Lightning imager uses near-infrared spectral channel detection, spectral bandwidth of 1 nm, two lenses for field-of-view mosaic and high-speed (2 ms) imaging detection, with real-time lightning event processing capability on board, and thus the overall performance of the camera is excellent. The whole process of occurrence, development, movement and extinction of strong convective thunderstorm system in China has been observed many times during on-orbit test. On-orbit test shows that lightning imager can detect lightning correctly and realize real-time monitoring, tracking and early warning of severe convective weather system. This paper aims at validating LMI on-orbit algorithm and data application. The correctness of satellite lightning observation can be seen by comparing with ground load.