K. Chance

Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian

Papers

Total Citations

110

H-Index

About

K. Chance is a leading figure in atmospheric remote sensing, with a primary focus on developing advanced retrieval algorithms for trace gases and aerosols using satellite instruments. His major contributions center on the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), where he pioneered novel techniques to extract critical atmospheric data from its visible and near-ultraviolet spectra. Notably, his work on water vapor retrieval from OMI visible channels (2014, 59 citations) demonstrated that subtle spectral features could be exploited to yield valuable humidity information, despite being weaker than those at longer wavelengths. He further advanced the field by developing an optimal-estimation-based aerosol retrieval algorithm for OMI near-UV observations (2016, 49 citations), which provides not only aerosol properties but also robust error estimates—a significant improvement over traditional methods. These contributions have had a lasting impact, enabling more accurate monitoring of atmospheric composition for climate and air quality studies. Chance’s research is essential for scientists and students working on satellite-based environmental monitoring, offering practical tools to better understand Earth’s atmosphere.