Cloud microphysical characterization during AVIRIS-NG campaign

Abstract

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) air campaign has provided a unique opportunity to characterize the properties of tropical clouds at microscale. A novel approach based on spectral matching technique has been used to derive the cloud microphysical parameters (CMPs) such as optical thickness and effective radius over campaign sites of Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) and Chilika (Odisha) region in India. It is found that the derived CMPs correspond to medium opacity and effective radius ranging from 4 to 18 μm. The hyperspectral bands coupled with high spatial resolution of the observations make it possible to identify pockets populated densely with large particles within a cloud. This has great applications for picking up fast developing convective cloud cells. More insight with different cloud type observations is anticipated with AVIRIS NG phase-2 campaign.