Public Invited to Spot Clouds from Space in New Climate Science Project.

A nationwide citizen science project is giving people across the UK the opportunity to directly support climate research by spotting clouds in satellite images. Launched by the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) RAL Space, the enhanced CloudCatcher project invites families, students, and space enthusiasts to help refine the tools used to identify clouds in Earth observation data.

CloudCatcher is built on the success of an earlier version introduced in 2020, which showed that everyday citizens could reliably identify clouds in satellite photos. Over 1,600 participants contributed to that initial phase, with their efforts culminating in a scientific paper published in the journal Weather by the Royal Meteorological Society earlier this year.

The latest version of CloudCatcher comes with new features that allow users to detect thinner clouds and verify areas marked as clear-sky using advanced false-color imagery. These improvements are aimed at increasing the accuracy of satellite-based climate measurements.

Clouds play a significant role in satellite data collection, particularly when measuring Earth’s surface temperature. If a satellite instrument captures a region obscured by clouds, the data can be compromised. To counter this, each satellite image includes a “cloud mask,” a label assigned to each pixel indicating whether it’s cloudy or clear. However, these masks are not always perfect, and human validation helps identify inaccuracies.

Participants access the CloudCatcher project through the Zooniverse platform, where they examine small segments of satellite images and decide whether clouds are present. The project requires no special equipment or scientific background—just a willingness to learn from tutorials and observe image patterns. It is accessible to individuals, families, and schools, making it an ideal educational tool as well.

The satellite images featured in CloudCatcher come from the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR), a key instrument onboard the Sentinel-3 satellites. These satellites are part of the Copernicus program, an initiative by the European Union and the European Space Agency. Data gathered through CloudCatcher will help evaluate the accuracy of SLSTR’s cloud masks.

Although more testing is needed to eliminate cloud-related data contamination completely, CloudCatcher marks a significant step toward improving the precision of satellite-based climate monitoring and weather forecasting, with broad benefits for communities globally.

Dr. Caroline Cox, a research scientist at RAL Space and the lead of the CloudCatcher initiative, emphasized the importance of public involvement: “Our satellite instruments offer breathtaking views of Earth, but we rely on human observation to tell us where clouds are. Every image you help classify enhances the reliability of our current systems and supports the global scientific community.”

She added, “CloudCatcher is designed so anyone can take part—no expertise needed. It’s a simple, rewarding way to contribute to climate science while viewing remarkable images of our planet from space.”

To join the effort, visit Zooniverse.org and search for the CloudCatcher project. Your observations could help shape the future of climate science.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-earth-scientists-clouds-space.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.