Global Statistics on Cloud Optical Depths From Satellite and Lidar Observations

Abstract

Six years of cloud data have been collected globally from the NOAA satellite series. The High Resolution Infrared Radiometer Spectrometer (HIRS) data were used to detect clouds and estimate their optical depths in the 11 micron infrared window. The cloud detection algorithm has been called the CO2 Slicing Algorithm because it uses the 13-15 micron infrared channels where partial CO2 absorption occurs, to detect partially transparent clouds and correctly determine their altitude. This algorithm is designed to be sensitive to upper tropospheric cirrus clouds which are difficult to detect. The frequency of these clouds along with their global distribution and seasonal changes have been reported at past CIDOS conferences.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA350529

Entities

People

  • Donald Wylie

Organizations

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Algorithms
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cirrus Clouds
  • Clouds
  • Detection
  • Frequency
  • High Resolution
  • Infrared Windows
  • Observation
  • Radiometers
  • Space Sciences
  • Statistics
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.

Technology Areas

  • Space