Remote Sensing of Clouds

Motivation and Context

Cloud microphysics study is vital to climate research. Clouds are the largest source of uncertainty in climate prediction according to the International Panel for Climate Change. They play a major role in Earth's energy balance (thus global warming) and challenge climate models. Furthermore, clouds are the main natural source of drinking water, hence their importance for torrid areas, such as Israel. Recovering clouds' 3D inner structure can be achieved by scattering tomography, using multi-view observations. During my research, I develop novel physics-based and learning-based cloud tomography modalities. Hopefully, these modalities will be incorporated into the planned CloudCT space mission.

CloudCT space mission

In this project, in a couple of years, ten satellites will be launched for demonstrating specifically cloud tomography and how it can be used for reducing climate uncertainties. CloudCT mission is a collaboration of three research groups: TECHNION Israel Institute of Technology, WEIZMANN Institute of Science ZFT Center For Telematics, led by Yoav Schechner, Ilan Koren, and Klaus Schilling, correspondingly. It has won ERC Synergy funding of €14 million. More information can be found in ClouCT page.

Publications