Modeling lightning observations from space-based platforms (CloudScat.jl 1.0)

A. Luque; F. J. Gordillo-Vázquez; D. Li; A. Malagón-Romero; F. J. Pérez-Invernón; A. Schmalzried; S. Soler; O. Chanrion; M. Heumesser; T. Neubert; V. Reglero; N. Østgaard

doi:10.5194/gmd-13-5549-2020

Geoscientific Model Development (Nov 2020)

Modeling lightning observations from space-based platforms (CloudScat.jl 1.0)

A. Luque,
F. J. Gordillo-Vázquez,
D. Li,
A. Malagón-Romero,
F. J. Pérez-Invernón,
A. Schmalzried,
S. Soler,
O. Chanrion,
M. Heumesser,
T. Neubert,
V. Reglero,
N. Østgaard

Affiliations

A. Luque: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA, CSIC), Granada, Spain
F. J. Gordillo-Vázquez: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA, CSIC), Granada, Spain
D. Li: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA, CSIC), Granada, Spain
A. Malagón-Romero: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA, CSIC), Granada, Spain
F. J. Pérez-Invernón: Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Wessling, Germany
A. Schmalzried: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA, CSIC), Granada, Spain
S. Soler: Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA, CSIC), Granada, Spain
O. Chanrion: National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Space), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
M. Heumesser: National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Space), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
T. Neubert: National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Space), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
V. Reglero: Image Processing Laboratory, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
N. Østgaard: Birkeland Centre for Space Science, Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-5549-2020
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13
pp. 5549 – 5566

Abstract

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We describe a computer code that simulates how a satellite observes optical radiation emitted by a lightning flash after it is scattered within an intervening cloud. Our code, CloudScat.jl, is flexible, fully open source and specifically tailored to modern instruments such as the Modular Multispectral Imaging Array (MMIA) component of the Atmosphere–Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) that operates from the International Space Station. In this article, we describe the algorithms implemented in the code and discuss several applications and examples, with an emphasis on the interpretation of MMIA data.

Published in Geoscientific Model Development

ISSN: 1991-959X (Print); 1991-9603 (Online)
Publisher: Copernicus Publications
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Science: Geology
Website: https://www.geoscientific-model-development.net/

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