Airborne Cloud Indicator Algorithm Data from CAPS

Particle size distribution, relative humidity, and temperature measurements from a second-generation Cloud, Aerosol, and Precipitation Spectrometer (CAPS) form the basis for a novel Cloud Indicator algorithm. This dataset includes measurements from two specific flight dates in 2016 and 2017, used to develop an automated method for detecting in-cloud sequences and classifying cloud type while distinguishing them from aerosol layers. The data is provided in netCDF format and originates from NASA's ATom-1 and A-LIFE campaigns.

Use Cases

• Developing and validating automated cloud detection algorithms using particle size distribution data.
• Classifying cloud types based on combined CAPS, humidity, and temperature sensor data.
• Distinguishing cloud phases from aerosol layers like mineral dust using the cloud-aerosol volume factor.
• Analyzing airborne atmospheric data from specific campaigns (ATom.1, A.LIFE) for research publications.

Strengths

• Algorithm development includes a specific cloud-aerosol volume factor to reduce misclassifications between clouds and aerosols.
• Data originates from two major atmospheric research campaigns: ATom.1 (2016) and A.LIFE (2017).
• Measurements combine particle size distribution from a CAPS spectrometer with relative humidity and temperature from other sensors.

Limitations

• Key metadata conflicts: last update date is listed as 2026.03.13 on Data.gov but 2019.09.30 on NASA Earthdata.
• No row count, column names, or dataset size information is provided on any platform.
• Temporal coverage is limited to only two specific days of measurement.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Airborne measurements from a second-generation Cloud, Aerosol, and Precipitation Spectrometer (CAPS) combined with other sensors for humidity and temperature.

Time Range

2016-08-20 to 2017-04-20

Freshness

2026-03-13 08:33:21.491989

Geography

Airborne campaign flights (ATom-1 and A-LIFE projects), specific locations not provided.