Whenever you submit a cloud observations, the GLOBE Clouds team at NASA Langley Research Center looks for satellites that were over your area at about the same time. The team then gathers the information from these satellites and compares them to your own observations. The result is a satellite match table that you receive through an email!
The table allows you to compare what you saw and what the satellite noted. You also have the actual satellite image at the bottom of the table! A new "How to Read a Satellite Match" page is available for you to learn more about the new design.
Researchers are excited to have observations from you, the ground observer, with images of clouds, that are "matched" or taken about the same time as a satellite over your area. While observations are useful at any time, your ground reports can help verify satellite measurements if you take your observations during a satellite overpass. You may be able to match to Aqua, Terra, CALIPSO, or Geostationary satellites. Use the satellite overpass tool to see when a satellite will be over your area.
Also, seeing how satellites compare to your observations is a great way to do your own research. Find more tips from the GLOBE Clouds team on how to come up with a good research question. If you are working on research that uses clouds, be sure to contact the GLOBE Clouds team!
Marilé Colón Robles
GLOBE Clouds Team Lead
