Enhancement of Near-Real-Time Cloud Analysis and Related Analytic Support for Whole Sky Imagers

摘要

This report describes the work done for the Starfire Optical Range, Kirtland Air Force Base under Contract N00014-01-D-043 DO No. 4, between 25 May 01 and 31 September 06. This work relates to the Air Force s need to characterize the cloud distribution during day and night, for a variety of applications, including support of satellite tracking, and support of research into impact of clouds on laser communication. This contract followed Contract N00014-97-D-0350 DO No. 6, which will be discussed in Section 2, and is documented in Shields et al 2004b, Technical Note 265. The primary goals of Delivery Order No. 4 discussed in this current report included further development of day and night cloud algorithms and support of the fielded Whole Sky Imager instruments. Much of the work done under DO No. 4 was completed by the end of 2004. Some additional work was done in 2005 and 2006 under the DO No. 4 funding, but most of the SOR work during this interval was done under a follow-on contract, ONR N00014-01-D-0043 DO No. 11, funded September 04. The work under DO No. 11 will be reported under a separate report.