Cirrus cloud detection from Airborne Imaging Spectrometer data using the 1.38 µm water vapor band

Abstract

Thin cirrus clouds are difficult to detect, particularly over land, in images taken from current satellite platforms. Using spectral images acquired by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) at 20 km altitude, we show that wavelengths close to the center of the strong 1.38 µm water vapor band are useful for detecting thin cirrus clouds. The detection makes use of the fact that cirrus clouds are located above almost all the atmospheric water vapor. Because of the strong water vapor absorption in the lower atmosphere, AVIRIS channels near 1.38 µm receive little scattered solar radiance from the surface or low level clouds. When cirrus clouds are present, however, these channels receive large amounts of scattered solar radiance from the cirrus clouds. Our ability to determine cirrus cloud cover using space‐based remote sensing will be improved if channels near the center of the 1.38 µm water vapor band are added to future satellites.