Analysis of Ship Tracks in Cloudiness Transition Regions

Abstract

The radiative and spatial characteristics of 63 ship tracks are analyzed in cloudiness transition regions using AVHRR satellite data. Channels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are utilized to determine the variations in ship track albedo and-temperature in three distinct cloud environments: stratum, broken stratus and cumulus. Stratus Tracks in a stratus environment are brightest with respect to broken stratus and cumulus tracks. Cumulus tracks have the highest percentage increase in albedo over their environment in Channel 1, while broken stratus tracks have the highest percentage change over their environment in Channel 3. There is little temperature difference between the ambient cloud and ship track in all three environments. Stratus track tend to be longer than either broken stratus or cumulus tracks. No significant difference in the width of the track was observed between the environments. Ship track, Algorithm, AVHRR, Albedo.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA257330

Entities

People

  • Michael E. Evans

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Boundary Layer
  • Climate Change
  • Cloud Physics
  • Clouds
  • Cumulus Clouds
  • Data Analysis
  • Environment
  • Exhaust Gases
  • Heat Energy
  • Meteorology
  • Satellite Imaging
  • Statistical Data
  • Statistics
  • Stratus Clouds
  • Transitions

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects