Passive multiangle imaging of clouds, aerosols, and atmospheric dynamics: Broadening our vision from MISR to WindCam and MSPI

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) has been collecting global Earth data from NASA’s Terra satellite since February 2000. With its nine along-track view angles, four visible/near-infrared spectral bands, intrinsic spatial resolution of 275 m, and stable calibration, no instrument that combines MISR’s attributes has previously flown in space, nor is there is a similar capability currently available on any other satellite platform. The MISR data record provides unprecedented opportunities for characterizing long-term variability in aerosol and cloud structure and atmospheric dynamics, including measurements of the vertical distributions of clouds; aerosol (smoke, volcanic, and dust) plume heights and global optical depths and particle properties; and pole-to-pole height-resolved winds. To extend what has been learned during the first decade of MISR observations, we are developing the WindCam and Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (MSPI) instruments. WindCam will enable MISR-like stereo observations over a broader swath using a much more compact sensor design. MSPI expands MISR capabilities through broader spectral coverage (ultraviolet to shortwave infrared), wider swath (enabling more rapid global coverage), and incorporation of high-accuracy polarimetric imaging, which will provide greater sensitivity to particle microphysics. A ground-based prototype camera (GroundMSPI) with spectral coverage from 355-935 nm has been built and an airborne version (AirMSPI) is ready for flight on NASA’s ER-2 high-altitude aircraft. Algorithm developments and improvements enabled by increases in computational speed since Terra launch are being explored with MISR data, and will be needed to handle the rich information content of these MISR successor instruments.