Cloud Products from the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC): Algorithms and Initial Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Earth Science
• Atmospheric Science
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) has provided Earth observations since June 2015.
• EPIC utilizes 10 spectral channels from UV to near-IR for its observations.
• Standard EPIC Level 2 Cloud Products are generated using a suite of algorithms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the physical basis of the EPIC cloud product algorithms.
• To evaluate the initial performance of these cloud product algorithms.
• To make the generated cloud products publicly available for climate studies.

Main Methods:

• Cloud mask generation using a multichannel threshold method.
• Cloud effective pressure/height retrieval utilizing O2 A-band and B-band spectral pairs.
• Cloud optical thickness retrieval using a single-channel approach (780 nm over ocean, 680 nm over land).

Main Results:

• EPIC cloud algorithms successfully generate cloud mask, effective pressure/height, and optical thickness.
• Initial performance evaluation indicates algorithms are performing well.
• Results are consistent with theoretical expectations and comparisons with GEO/LEO satellite data.

Conclusions:

• The developed EPIC cloud product algorithms are effective and reliable.
• The publicly available EPIC cloud products support climate research and geophysical product generation.
• EPIC data provides valuable insights into Earth's cloud properties.