MISR Seasonal Cloud Top Height and Optical Depth Data

Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) data provides cloud top height and optical depth measurements from nine cameras in four spectral bands. This Level 3 product aggregates observations into seasonal (quarterly) composites for monitoring long-term trends. The data is produced by the LARC_CLOUD organization using NASA's MISR instrument.

Use Cases

• Analyze seasonal trends in cloud top height to study cloud formation and climate feedback mechanisms.
• Correlate cloud optical depth with aerosol data from MISR to investigate aerosol indirect effects.
• Validate and improve climate model simulations of cloud cover using multi-angle, multi-spectral observational data.
• Map the global distribution of cloud types by combining height and optical property information.

Strengths

• Data from nine camera angles provides stereoscopic capability for accurate cloud height retrieval.
• Four spectral bands (blue, green, red, near-infrared) enable detailed cloud and surface property analysis.
• Level 3 seasonal aggregation simplifies analysis of long-term and large-scale climate trends.

Limitations

• Specific spatial resolution, temporal coverage within the season, and uncertainty metrics for the product are unknown.
• The seasonal aggregation may smooth out important short-term cloud variability and events.
• Data quality may be affected by persistent cloud cover or high-latitude seasonal darkness.

Provenance

Source

NASA Earthdata, produced by the LARC_CLOUD organization.

Collection Method

Data collected by the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA's Terra satellite, processed into Level 3 seasonal gridded products.

Time Range

Covers a quarter (seasonal), specific years unknown.

Geography

Global coverage from the Terra satellite's orbit.