High resolution limb observations of clouds by the CRISTA-NF experiment during the SCOUT-O3 tropical aircraft campaign

The Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere – New Frontiers (CRISTA-NF) experiment on board the Russian research aircraft Geophysica measures limb emission spectra with an unprecedented vertical and horizontal resolution in the 4–15 μm wavelength region. The IR spectra measured during the SCOUT-O3 Tropical Aircraft Campaign have been analysed with respect of cloud occurrence, cloud vertical and horizontal extent, cloud spatial structures and their utilisation for trace gas retrievals. In addition indicators for ice water content and optical thickness of the clouds have been adopted. These new kinds of measurements in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere region are especially valuable for the design and development of future space borne high resolution limb sounders.