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Radiometric cloud imaging with an uncooled microbolometer thermal infrared camera.
Optics Express
|June 6, 2009
Summary
A new thermal infrared camera system provides accurate radiometric sky imaging. This Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI) achieves high precision for studying various cloud types in diverse environments.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric science
- Remote sensing technology
- Infrared optics
Background:
- Accurate measurement of atmospheric radiance is crucial for climate and weather studies.
- Existing remote sensing systems require improved radiometric calibration for field deployments.
- Microbolometer-array thermal infrared cameras offer potential for sky imaging applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate an uncooled microbolometer-array thermal infrared camera into a remote sensing system for radiometric sky imaging.
- To validate and enhance the radiometric calibration of the system using a reference instrument.
- To demonstrate the capability of the system for imaging various cloud types.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of a microbolometer-array thermal infrared camera into a remote sensing setup.
- Radiometric calibration using spectrally integrated data from the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI).
- Acquisition and analysis of still and time-lapse sky imagery under various atmospheric conditions.
Main Results:
- The Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI) system achieved radiometric uncertainty below 0.5 W/(m(2 )sr) after improved calibration.
- Successful validation and enhancement of radiometric calibration through comparison with AERI data.
- Demonstration of the system's ability to capture detailed imagery of clear and cloudy skies, including stratus, cirrus, and wave clouds.
Conclusions:
- The developed Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI) system provides a reliable tool for radiometric sky imaging.
- The improved calibration ensures high accuracy for extended field deployments in challenging environments.
- The system effectively images diverse cloud formations, contributing to atmospheric research.
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