How to Read a Terra, Aqua, NOAA-20 or GEO Satellite Match - Clouds Protocol
How to read a NASA GLOBE Clouds satellite match table
The satellite match table summarizes your ground observations of clouds and sky conditions with data from satellites collected at about the same time over or nearby your location.
- The white column on the left lists all the observations reported and compared with satellite data.
- The green column on the right displays your observations that are compared to satellite data. The satellite data is found in the middle columns. This information includes latitude & longitude, date & time, and total cloud cover.
- Your report includes cloud cover, cloud opacity, and cloud type for each height (high, mid, and low). Satellites report cloud altitude, cloud phase (liquid, ice, or mix), cloud opacity, and cloud cover.
- Cloud cover is represented by circles with different amounts of blue and grey.
- Cloud altitude is measured in kilometers (km). Cloud phase (liquid, ice, or mix) is measured in Kelvin (K).
- Click on the small pictures at the bottom of the table to see the image taken by each satellite at about the same time of your observation. The images are centered in your location.
- Your sky and cloud photographs sent in with your GLOBE cloud observations will appear next to the satellite images.
- Your observations also include information about Surface Conditions.
- Use the “Submit Comment” section to send in any questions or comments related to your observation.