Articles | Volume 14, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3989-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3989-2021
Research article
 | 
02 Jun 2021
Research article |  | 02 Jun 2021

MICRU: an effective cloud fraction algorithm designed for UV–vis satellite instruments with large viewing angles

Holger Sihler, Steffen Beirle, Steffen Dörner, Marloes Gutenstein-Penning de Vries, Christoph Hörmann, Christian Borger, Simon Warnach, and Thomas Wagner

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Cited articles

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Short summary
MICRU is an algorithm for the retrieval of effective cloud fractions (CFs) from satellite measurements. CFs describe the amount of clouds, which have a significant impact on the vertical sensitivity profile of trace gases like NO2 and HCHO. MICRU retrieves small CFs with an accuracy of 0.04 over the entire satellite swath. It features an empirical surface reflectivity model accounting for physical anisotropy (BRDF, sun glitter) and instrumental effects. MICRU is also applicable to imager data.
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