We've all marveled at the shifting patterns that clouds form in the sky. Beyond capturing our imagination, though, clouds play a vital role in Earth's climate system. But our scientific understanding of clouds is limited. That's why NASA launched two satellites in April on a mission to learn more about clouds. The satellites are called CloudSat and Calipso. They'll provide new data about atmospheric aerosols and their impact on Earth's climate. Aerosols are small particles that hover in the atmosphere and affect the amount of sunlight that reaches Earth?s surface. Cloudsat and Calipso are designed to be highly complementary. CloudSat is equipped with radar that's a thousand times more sensitive than typical weather radar. Calipso is equipped with advanced camera systems. Researchers say they'll gain valuable new information about how clouds and aerosols form, interact, and evolve. And, according to NASA scientists, the satellites will enhance our ability to forecast weather and predict climate change.

We've all marveled at the shifting patterns that clouds form in the sky. Beyond capturing our imagination, though, clouds play a vital role in Earth's climate system. But our scientific understanding of clouds is limited. That's why NASA launched two satellites in April on a mission to learn more about clouds. The satellites are called CloudSat and Calipso. They'll provide new data about atmospheric aerosols and their impact on Earth's climate. Aerosols are small particles that hover in the atmosphere and affect the amount of sunlight that reaches Earth?s surface. Cloudsat and Calipso are designed to be highly complementary. CloudSat is equipped with radar that's a thousand times more sensitive than typical weather radar. Calipso is equipped with advanced camera systems. Researchers say they'll gain valuable new information about how clouds and aerosols form, interact, and evolve. And, according to NASA scientists, the satellites will enhance our ability to forecast weather and predict climate change.