CAR CLAMS BRDF V2: Bidirectional Reflectance Factor Measurements from 2001

July-August 2001 measurements from the Chesapeake Lighthouse and Aircraft Measurements for Satellites (CLAMS) field campaign. This data set consists of observations made with the CAR instrument and includes values for bidirectional reflectance factor at varying spectral bands. The campaign was sponsored by NASA programs including CERES, MISR, and MODIS-Atmospheres to validate Terra satellite data products.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite-derived surface radiative fluxes based on spectral and broadband measurements.
• Characterize atmospheric aerosol optical properties based on the campaign's focus on aerosol description.
• Model ocean reflectance and optics in coastal regions based on measurements near the Chesapeake Lighthouse.
• Perform shortwave closure experiments for clear-sky conditions based on the campaign's stated objectives.

Strengths

• Data originates from a NASA-sponsored multi-instrument field campaign (CERES, MISR, MODIS).
• Focuses on a specific, well-defined temporal period (July-August 2001).
• Targets clear-sky conditions for validation experiments, which may reduce atmospheric noise.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the single Chesapeake Lighthouse location.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Field campaign observations made with the CAR (Cloud Absorption Radiometer) instrument.

Time Range

July-August 2001

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 06:18:14.948083; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Chesapeake Lighthouse sea platform, 20 km east of Virginia Beach, USA, and surrounding aircraft measurement areas.