The Marine-Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI) is describe
d, and some examples of the environmental variables that can be derived fro
m its measurements and the types of research that these can support are bri
efly presented. The M-AERI is a robust, accurate, self-calibrating, seagoin
g Fourier-transform interferometric infrared spectroradiometer that is depl
oyed on marine platforms to measure the emission spectra from the sea surfa
ce and marine atmosphere. The instrument works continuously under computer
control and functions well under a very wide range of environmental conditi
ons with a high rate of data return. Spectral measurements are made in the
range of similar to3 to similar to 18 mum wavelength and are calibrated usi
ng two internal, National Institute of Standards and Technology-traceable b
lackbody cavities. The environmental variables derived from the spectra inc
lude the surface skin temperature of the ocean, surface emissivity, near-su
rface air temperature, and profiles of temperature and humidity through the
lower troposphere. These measurements are sufficiently accurate both to va
lidate satellite-derived surface temperature fields and to study the physic
s of the skin layer.