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Bi-directional reflectance of finite and infinite cloudsThe transfer of solar irradiance in plane parallel and broken cloud fields is modeled using a Monte Carlo method. The angular distribution pattern of radiances exiting the cloud layer is studied with varying cloud geometries, optical thicknesses, cloudiness and solar zenith angles. A rather large anisotropy of the reflected flux is found, usually increasing with solar zenith angle and with patterns that strongly depend on cloud geometry. The main features are: a local maximum of reflected intensity in the forward direction for all cases; a limb darkening for the plane parallel case; and a limb brightening and a local maximum of reflected intensity in the backward direction for broken clouds. The method is used to study the cloud reflectance sensitivity to various parameters. A more precise description of cloud field internal and external structure is needed in order to obtain accurate bi directional reflectance diagrams.
Document ID
19920002252
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Breon, Francois-Marie
(Scripps Institution of Oceanography San Diego, CA., United States)
Gautier, Catherine
(California Univ. Santa Barbara., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: ESA, Physical Measurements and Signatures in Remote Sensing, Volume 1
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Accession Number
92N11470
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG1-889
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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