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Instrument

CAR
Cloud Absorption Radiometer

The Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) is an airborne multi-wavelength scanning radiometer developed by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). CAR provides measurements of scattered radiance and bidirectional reflectance of the surface across 14 spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths (0.34-2.30 µm). It also acquires imagery of cloud and Earth surface features. CAR has a scan rate of 1.67 Hz (100 rpm) and has a spatial resolution of 4m at nadir for an altitude of 200m above ground level.

Image of CAR mounted on the nose of the J-31
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

Instrument Details

Spectrometer/Radiometer
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Radiative Transfer
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Radiative Transfer > Scattering
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Radiative Transfer > Absorption
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Optics > Reflectance
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties
Earth Science > Cryosphere > Snow/ice > Reflectance > Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function
Earth Science > Land Surface > Surface Radiative Properties > Reflectance
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Reflectance
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Radiance
Land Surface, Troposphere
1.67 Hz
4 m
130-882 THz
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1986)003%3C0513:MSRFAM%3E2.0.CO;2External Link

Instrument Operation

ARCTAS

Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites

2008
Alaska, Western Canada, California
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3 Deployments
· 5 Data Products
SnowEx

SnowEx

2016—2023
Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Alaska
Ongoing
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4 Deployments
· 26 Data Products
J-31

Jetstream-31

2 Campaigns · 4 Instruments
CLASIC07

Cloud and Land Surface Interaction Campaign 2007

2007
Southern Great Plains, Oklahoma, Kansas
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1 Deployment
· 7 Data Products
INTEX-NA

Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - North America

2004—2006
North America, Gulf of Mexico, North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean
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2 Deployments
· 21 Data Products
The logo for the CLAMS Campaign
CLAMS

Chesapeake Lighthouse and Aircraft Measurements for Satellites

2001
Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean
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1 Deployment
· 5 Data Products
SAFARI 2000

Southern African Regional Science Initiative

1999—2001
Southern Africa
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4 Deployments
· 117 Data Products
FIRE

First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) Regional Experiment

1986—1998
Central and Midwest United States, California Coast, Northwest Africa, Alaska
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5 Deployments
· 131 Data Products
C-131A

Convair C-131 Samaritan

4 Campaigns · 23 Instruments
FIRE

First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) Regional Experiment

1986—1998
Central and Midwest United States, California Coast, Northwest Africa, Alaska
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5 Deployments
· 131 Data Products
Logo for the SCAR-B deployment
SCAR

Smoke/Sulfates, Clouds, and Radiation

1993—1995
Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, Central Brazil
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3 Deployments
· 6 Data Products

Data Products

Filter data products from this instrument by specific campaigns, platforms, or formats.

Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Platforms
PLATFORMS
Formats
FORMATS
10.5067/ASDC_DAAC/FIRE/0010External Link
Convair-580
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/709External Link
Convair-580
10.5067/ASDC_DAAC/CLAMS/0002External Link
Convair-580
Jetstream-31