The Study of a Planet

If all goes well, this weekend a new satellite will be in Earth's orbit.  CLOUDSAT is one in a constellation of satellites designed to study Earth's atmosphere in greater detail.

Until now, only two-dimensional data on cloud cover was available.  CLOUDSAT will study the 3d composition of clouds.  While this may seem insignificant, the thickness and and size of cloud cover greatly influences the amount of sunlight that is either absorbed or reflected back into space.  Some scientists believe that small changes in the amount of cloud cover could affect our climate to a large degree --even more than the effects of greenhouse gases.

There's a Canadian connection with this project.  CLOUDSAT is a partnership with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).  Canadian companies participated in the development of the high-resolution radar system and Canadian Meteorological Service scientists will be analyzing the data with their American counterparts.

Picture Credit:  NASA

Comments

[Gwen]

My understanding is that greenhouse gases contribute to cloud cover?

Hello Gwen -I'm not an atmospheric specialist but that's my understanding also. Greenhouse gases change the composition and balance of our atmosphere but are just one part in cloud formation. If anyone reading this can add to the story please do! -Steve

[Gil Tennant]

There's a number of factors at work, clouds being one of them, which ultimately play a role in the greenhouse effect. Cloud cover affects greenhouse warming by both reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth's surface and by reducing the amount of radiation energy emitted into space.

Scientists use the term "albedo" to define the percentage of solar energy reflected back by a surface. Understanding local, regional, and global albedo effects is critical to predicting global climate change.

:)

Gil