MISR Multi-Angle Cloud and Aerosol Classifier Parameters

NASA's Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) Level 2 FIRSTLOOK dataset provides cloud and atmospheric particle classifications from an instrument with nine cameras pointed in different directions. It monitors monthly, seasonal, and long-term trends in aerosols, clouds, and land surface cover using four spectral wavelengths. The dataset contains Angular Signature Cloud Mask (ASCM), Cloud Classifiers, and Support Vector Machine classifiers.

Use Cases

• Classifying cloud types and heights using the Angular Signature Cloud Mask (ASCM) and Cloud Classifier parameters.
• Monitoring atmospheric aerosol amounts and types from natural and human-made sources across nine viewing angles.
• Analyzing seasonal trends in land surface cover and vegetation canopy structure from multi-spectral data.
• Training or validating machine learning models for remote sensing with the provided Support Vector Machine classifier outputs.
• Studying the radiative impact of clouds and particles by correlating angular signatures with four spectral bands (blue, green, red, near-infrared).

Strengths

• Data is collected from nine distinct viewing angles, providing unique multi-angle reflectance signatures for analysis.
• Covers four spectral wavelengths (blue, green, red, near-infrared) for each observed surface point.
• Designed for monitoring monthly, seasonal, and long-term trends in atmospheric and surface properties.
• Produced by NASA, a leading authority in Earth observation and remote sensing.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source.
• Sources conflict on license information: one platform specifies 'other-license-specified', while another lists no license.
• The 'last updated' date of 2026-03 13 appears to be a placeholder or future date, casting doubt on its accuracy.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via the MISR instrument's nine cameras capturing four spectral wavelengths.

Time Range

Designed for monthly, seasonal, and long-term trend monitoring; specific start/end dates not provided.

Freshness

2026-03-13 00:39:56.801515 (Note: This appears to be a future date and may be inaccurate.)

Geography

Global coverage from the satellite's orbit.