HEAD: a robust high-resolution satellite image-based aerosol optical depth retrieval algorithm in the blue wavelength range using Kalman filters

Natural and anthropogenic aerosol atmospheric emissions play a fundamental role in directly modulating the incoming solar radiation and affecting the air quality. Likewise, aerosols indirectly impact cloud lifetime, atmo- spheric column thermodynamics and precipitation patterns. For this reason, it is crucial to assess aerosol spatial and temporal variability to reduce the associated uncertainty of global climate models in correctly forecasting future scenarios and it will enable application of mitigation strategies. In this manuscript, for the first time, we developed a simple aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval algorithm in the blue wavelength range that does not use either look-up-tables or radiative transfer models.