A new aerosol optical depth retrieval algorithm is presented that uses the two-angle view capability of the Along Track Scanning Radiometer 2 (ATSR-2). By combining the two-angle view and the spectral information this so-called dual view algorithm separates between aerosol and surface contributions to the top of the atmosphere radiance. First validation of the dual view algorithm was performed during the Tropospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment (TARFOX), which was conducted at the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States in July 1996. The satellite retrieved spectral aerosol optical depth is in good agreement with the aerosol optical depth from ground-based Sun/sky radiometers in three out of four cases. This shows the potential of aerosol retrieval over land using two-angle view satellite radiometry. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union