Radiative energy traveling into, out of, and within the Earth’s atmosphere is inherently spectral. While the spectral dimension contains vast information about Earth system properties and processes, it has historically been under-observed and under-utilized. A new era of spectral and hyperspectral shortwave and longwave satellite missions is addressing this shortcoming (e.g., with CLARREO Pathfinder, PACE, EMIT, TRUTHS, PREFIRE, TICFIRE, FORUM), accompanied by a surge of related activity in the Earth science community. This session seeks contributions that apply past, present, or expected future surface, sub-orbital, or spaceborne spectral observations, modeling, or analysis of shortwave or longwave radiation to monitor or understand the Earth system. Studies focusing on top-of-atmosphere, within atmosphere, and surface radiation budgets, or retrieval algorithm development of cloud, aerosol, gas, and surface properties, and other relevant research topics are all encouraged. Applications from microscale sub-diurnal variability to global and decadal climate are all welcome.

• GC - Global Environmental Change