A geometric photography model for determining cloud top heights using MISR images. Issue 20 (23rd October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Yongjian; Qiu, Xinfa; Sun, Zhian; Li, Qiang
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 120:Issue 20(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 10, 939
• Page End: 10, 950
• Publication Date: 2015-10-23
• Subjects: MISR -- cloud top height -- cloud movement speed -- geometric method -- geometric photography model; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JD023957
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: Cloud top height (CTH) is an important factor in weather forecasting and monitoring. An accurate CTH has scientific significance for improving the quality of both weather analyses and numerical weather prediction. The three‐dimensional geometric method has been widely recognized as a CTH calculation method that provides relatively high accuracy. In this paper, we used the theory of digital photogrammetry and remote sensing technology to establish a geometric photography model (GPM) that can simultaneously determine CTHs and cloud movement speed (CMS) by introducing the CMS into the collinearity equation of photogrammetry. The CTH is derived by constructing three‐dimensional image pairs of multitemporal Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) red spectral band images from three angles. Compared with CTHs observed by ground‐based lidar at the United States Southern Great Plains, the difference of CTHs using the GPM relative to the reference value was less than 300 m. By analyzing the ground control points, the GPM error is estimated to be approximately 300 m. Compared with MISR CTH data, the CTHs calculated in this study were similar to that of MISR without wind. Key Points: A geometric photography model for determining cloud top heights and cloud movement speeds The CTH error is 300 m CTH and CMS were determined simultaneously