Cloud camera

cloud camera

A camera system specifically designed for use in obtaining cloud photographs for the purposes of determining their locations, movement, or percent of sky coverage.

Video or motion picture cameras are operated in a manner that records a new image every second or so in order to follow cloud development (time-lapse photography). Stereographic cloud images may be obtained from cameras at separated locations. Photogrammetric analysis of images with known foreground fiducial points from cameras with known optics can yield quantitative measurements of cloud dimensions and movements. Whole-sky imaging cameras use optics or reflectors with a very wide field of view to record the position of nearly all clouds in the hemisphere of sky overhead to estimate the fractional sky coverage of cloudiness. Conversion of the photographic images to digital form allows automated analysis. Useful data are often limited to daylight periods.

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1. In synoptic meteorology, a detailed study of the state of the atmosphere based on observations, usually including a separation of the entity into its component patterns and involving the drawing of families of isopleths for various elements.