John J. Atkinson
Papers
1
Total Citations
23
H-Index
1
About
John J. Atkinson is an atmospheric scientist whose work centers on cloud remote sensing and radiative transfer, with a particular focus on thin cloud properties and their impact on Earth’s energy balance. His most influential contribution is the development of the Sun and Aureole Measurement (SAM) aureolegraph, a novel instrument designed to retrieve cloud properties from solar aureole measurements. In his landmark 2009 paper, Atkinson demonstrated how SAM could characterize thin cirrus and cumulus clouds with unprecedented precision, using data collected at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Central Facility. This work, which has garnered 23 citations, provides a critical tool for improving climate models by better quantifying how thin clouds scatter sunlight and influence planetary albedo. Atkinson’s research bridges experimental instrumentation and atmospheric physics, offering practical solutions for measuring elusive cloud types that are often underrepresented in satellite retrievals. His contributions are particularly valuable for students and researchers interested in ground-based remote sensing, cloud-aerosol interactions, and the ongoing effort to reduce uncertainties in climate projections.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Retrieving Properties of Thin Clouds from Solar Aureole Measurements23 citations · 2009