Evaluation Question 6

Discussion

Measurements of "passive" microwave radiation from space are used to retrieve ocean, surface, and atmospheric properties (soundings) in the presence of clouds and precipitation. Where clouds and precipitation are present, microwave radiation also contains information used for retrieval of cloud properties (phase and cloud liquid water) and quantitative estimates of precipitation. Answer a) is incorrect since infrared observations provide the best direct observation of stratus clouds, especially during nighttime. Answer d) is incorrect since both POES and GOES also monitor precipitation and clouds with a combination of visible and infrared observations.

	a) Observation of stratus clouds at night.
	b) Observation of ocean and surface properties in the presence of clouds and precipitation.
	c) Retrieval of atmospheric temperature and moisture in the presence of clouds.
	d) Daytime and nighttime observation of clouds and precipitation.