ESS124
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Interpreting Satellite Imagery
VISIBLE
INFRARED
WATER VAPOR
SATELLITE MEASURES
reflected solar radiation
Emitted infrared radiation (temperature)
Infrared radiation emitted by water vapor
only
BRIGHTEST REGIONS
thick
clouds, snow
Cold
cloud tops
(high clouds)
Moist
air
DARKEST REGIONS
Oceans,
forests,
unfrozen rivers in winter
Warm
cloud tops
(low clouds)
warm regions of the
earth’s surface
Dry
air