Deep space observations of reflectance enhancements due to sun glints from clouds and from the ocean surface
Abstract
Every hour or two, the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) onboard the DSCOVR spacecraft takes images of the sunlit side of Earth from the L1 Lagrangian point, which is four times farther than the Moon. Casual glances at such images often reveal bright colorful spots that stand out markedly from their surroundings. Earlier studies revealed that these spots are caused by specular reflection of sunlight, sometimes from the ocean surface and other times from clouds containing horizontal ice crystals. This presentation demonstrates that EPIC observations at Oxygen A-band absorption bands make it possible to distinguish glints off marine ice clouds from glints off the ocean surface. The analysis also shows that glints off marine ice clouds are ubiquitous, small, and bright. The results suggest that EPIC data can help constrain the radiative effects of horizontal ice crystals causing the glints.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.A41C..06V
- Keywords:
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- 3311 Clouds and aerosols;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 3359 Radiative processes;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 3360 Remote sensing;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES