Pierre Couvert

Cloud thermodynamical phase classification from the POLDER spaceborne instrument

Cloud phase recognition is important for cloud studies. Ice crystals correspond to physical process and properties that differ from those of liquid water drops. The angular polarization signature is a good mean to discriminate between spherical and nonspherical particles (liquid and ice phase, respectively). POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of Earth Reflectances) has been launched on the Japanese ADEOS platform in August 1996. Because of its multidirectional, multispectral, and multipolarization capabilities this new radiometer gives useful information on clouds and their influence on radiation in the shortwave range. The POLDER bidirectional observation capability provides the polarization signatures within a large range of scattering angles in three spectral bands centered on 0.443, 0.670, and 0.865 μm with a spatial resolution of 6.2 km×6.2 km. These original features allow to obtain some information both on cloud thermodynamic phase and on cloud microphysics (size/shape). According to POLDER airborne observations, liquid cloud droplets exhibit very specific polarization features of a rainbow for scattering angles near 140°. Conversely, theoretical studies of scattering by various crystalline particles and also airborne measurements show that the rainbow characteristics disappear as soon as the particles depart from the spherical shape. In the paper the POLDER algorithm for cloud phase classification is presented, as well as the physical principle of this algorithm. Results derived from the POLDER spaceborne version are also presented and compared with lidar ground-based observations and satellite cloud classification. This cloud phase classification method is shown to be reliable. The major limitation appears when thin cirrus clouds overlap the liquid cloud layer. In this case, if the cirrus optical thickness is smaller than 2, the liquid phase may be retrieved. Otherwise, the ice phase is correctly detected as long as cloud detection works.

Apparent pressure derived from ADEOS-POLDER observations in the oxygen A-band over ocean

The POLDER radiometer was on board the ADEOS satellite from August 1996 to June 1997. This instrument measures radiances in eight narrow spectral bands of the visible and near infrared spectrum. Two of them are centered on the O2 A-band in order to infer cloud pressure. By assuming the atmosphere behaves as a pure absorbing medium overlying a perfect reflector, an ”apparent” pressure Papp is derived from POLDER data. For validation purposes, Papp is first compared to the sea-surface pressure Ps for clear-sky conditions; Papp is found to be close to Ps (within ∼30 hPa) for measurements in the sunglint region. For overcast conditions, Papp differs from the cloud-top pressure mainly because of multiple scattering inside the cloud. When Papp is compared to the cloud pressure determined from brightness temperature measurements, large differences are observed (typically 180 hPa).

Global distribution of cloud top phase from POLDER/ADEOS I

The eight months of data acquired by the POLDER instrument have now been processed. This dataset provides daily information on the global distribution of cloud top phase. We present here the results of a statistical analysis of ice and liquid phase occurrence frequencies at the global scale. Temporal variation of these frequencies above land and ocean are analyzed. These results are compared with ISCCP data and the consistency of the POLDER phase product is demonstrated.

Review of capabilities of multi-angle and polarization cloud measurements from POLDER

Abstract Polarization and directionality of the Earth’s reflectances (POLDER) is a multispectral imaging radiometer–polarimeter with a wide field-of-view, a moderate spatial resolution, and a multi-angle viewing capability. It functioned nominally aboard ADEOS1 from November 1996 to June 1997. When the satellite passes over a target, POLDER allows to observe it under up to 14 different viewing directions and in several narrow spectral bands of the visible and near-infrared spectrum (443–910 nm). This new type of multi-angle instruments offers new opportunity for deriving cloud parameters at global scale. The aim of this short overview paper is to point out the main contributions of such an instrument for cloud study through its original instrumental capabilities (multidirectionality, multipolarization, and multispectrality). This is mainly illustrated by using ADEOS 1-POLDER derived cloud parameters which are operationally processed by CNES and are available since the beginning of 1999.

Cloud filter for CO retrieval from IMG infrared spectra using ECMWF temperatures and POLDER cloud data

Infrared atmospheric measurements provided by space nadir looking remote sensors are affected by the presence of clouds. To obtain cloud-free CO global distributions from the radiance spectra measured by the IMG instrument, we have developed a simple method of spectra selection using skin temperatures provided by the ECMWF model. Information on the cloud cover was provided by the cloud data of the POLDER instrument which flew aboard the same platform as IMG. We show that a filter based on skin temperature, with thresholds of 8 K over sea and 15.3 K over land, allows to remove most of the cloudy cases.

Scientific results from the Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances (POLDER)

The POLDER (POlarization and Directionality of the Earths Reflectances) instrument, developed by the French Space Agency (CNES) has flown on board the ADEOS-1/NASDA platform from November 1996 until June 1997. The sensor has a wide field of view (2400km swath) for collecting global daily data and has multi-angle viewing capability. It measures the solar radiation reflected by the Earth in eight spectral bands. For three of these bands (0.443, 0.670 and 0.865 μm), measurements include the polarization ratio by the use of 3 polarizers. This measurement strategy provides unique information on aerosols, clouds and surfaces.

Cloud cover observed simultaneously from FOLDER and METEOSAT

The POLDER instrument that was aboard the Japanese ADEOS platform between August 1996 and June 1997. is designed to the global observations of the polarisation and directionality of the sun-light reflected by the Earth-atmosphere system. The cloud detection from POLDER takes advantage of the original capabilities of the instrument (spectral polarisation and directionality). This cloud detection scheme uses 5 threshold tests based on pressure, reflectance, polarised reflectance and spectral variability. The results of the POLDER cloud detection scheme are compared to those of the LMD dynamical clustering method applied to visible and infrared METEOSAT data and local spatial variability of these two parameters. Special focus is given to the detection capabilities of the two kind of measurements for cloud situations such as small cumulus, thin cirrus and multilayered cloud cover. Results of this comparison would give some insight on the behaviour of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud detection scheme built mainly from visible and infrared measurements.