International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project

The goals and objectives of the ISCCP have included: • "Produce a global, reduced-resolution, calibrated and normalized, infrared and visible radiance dataset, along with basic information on the radiative properties of the atmosphere, from which cloud parameters can be derived. • Coordinate basic research on techniques for inferring the physical properties of clouds from satellite radiance data. • Derive and validate a global cloud climatology. • Promote research using ISCCP data to improve cloud parameterizations in climate models. • Improve understanding of the earth’s radiation budget (top-of-atmosphere and surface) and hydrological cycle." ==Criticism==

Some scientists suggest that the decreasing trends in the ISCCP data are "satellite viewing geometry artifacts" and that the data may not be appropriate for some long-term global studies. ==See also==