PARALLAX

  • Parallax refers to the displacement of cloud locations due to increasing viewing angle.  Here is an illustration.
  • Parallax is a function of:
    • The viewing angle
    • cloud height
  • The offset is away from the satellite along a great circle arc.
  • Here are examples of the parallax-induced cloud displacement for GOES and Polar orbiting satellites as a function of angular distance from nadir.
  • Notice that the parallax-induced cloud displacement gets real bad at angles greater than 60° for the GOES imagery.
  • Parallax also applies to terrain features such as mountains.