Cirrus parameter retrieval by combined analysis of spectral thermal infrared and lidar sensing from aircraft and space

Summary form only given, substantially as follows:- The distribution, radiative and microphysical parameters of cirrus clouds are an important factor for cloud effects on the global radiation balance and climate. Multispectral thermal infrared observations are the most significant method used to remote sense cirrus parameters from current and planned passive satellite observations. Passive sensing alone has the limitation that both the cloud radiative temperature, or height, and the spectral emissivity must be derived in the analysis. Factors such as multiple cloud layering, which is very common, are known to introduce ambiguities in results. The addition of lidar cloud height structure measurements significantly improves retrievals. Analysis focused on analysis of results from extensive aircraft measurements and a prototype space experiment are presented.