Particle Shape, Size, and Composition from Satellites

The MISR Research Aerosol (RA) retrieval algorithm produces (A) aerosol amount (optical depth – AOD), (B) an aerosol size constraint (Angstrom Exponent) (C) fraction of non-spherical particles, and (D) particle light-absorption (SSA). Near the Camp fire source region the particles tend to be large (low Angstrom Exponent) and non-spherical particles, probably from burning in the town of Paradise. Aerosols are smaller and more spherical downwind, probably as the plume mixes with smoke from burning forest.