Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite: A New Operational Cloud Imager

The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is the next-generation multispectral imaging instrument to fly on US operational, polar-orbiting meteorological satellites. VIIRS will gather data across 22 spectral bands and be used to create products for a variety of applications including weather forecasting and climate change studies. VIIRS consolidates the best features of heritage instruments, including near-constant resolution and nighttime visible imagery. Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite: A New Operational Cloud Imager provides the first comprehensive guide on the design and exploitation of cloud data collected by the VIIRS.

Expert researchers Hutchison and Cracknell discuss the fundamental principles necessary to interpret surface and cloud features in multispectral meteorological satellite imagery. They begin by tracing the evolution of satellite meteorology and detailing previous instruments on which VIIRS is based. Next, they examine the user requirements for VIIRS data products and the studies used to convert these requirements into sensor design parameters. The focus then shifts to the principles and techniques used to exploit VIIRS cloud data. The book ends with a comprehensive discussion of automated processes to retrieve 3-dimensional cloud fields from a variety of algorithms, some of which were developed for the VIIRS.

Supplying material for both experienced researchers and those new to the field, Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite is a must-read for anyone interested in evaluating and using the data gathered from the VIIRS project.