Earthdata Forum

Hello everyone,

I downloaded data from CALIOP (Lidar Level 2 Vertical Feature Mask), (VFM), on CALIPSO and used the data between -0.5 to 8.5 km from the Feature Classification Flag data block. I know that the first bit of that block (1166) corresponds to 8.5 km and the last bit to -0.5 km (5515) but I don't know what height the other bits correspond to. Does anyone know what is the height change between each bit ? Thank you!

Hi Fernanda Cabello,

The vertical resolution between -0.5 to 8.2 km is 30 meters, according to the references I found below.

See the section "Layout of the Feature Classification Flag data block" on the following link.
https://www-calipso.larc.nasa.gov/resources/calipso_users_guide/data_summaries/vfm/index.php#feature_classification_flags

See Section 2.7 "Lidar Level 2 Vertical Feature Mask Data Product DP 2.1D" in the following document.
https://www-calipso.larc.nasa.gov/products/CALIPSO_DPC_Rev3x6.pdf

Hope that helps.

David W.
NASA Langley ASDC DAAC Lifecycle