[GLIMS] GLIMS Update: ASTER acquisitions (improved success; but need to know about continued failures)

[Jeffrey Kargel]

Dear GLIMS colleagues,
The number of GLIMS scenes returned by ASTER increased dramatically in 2012 relative to 2010 and the preceding few years. However, I am aware that some areas continue to get clouded out 90% and more of the time; whereas we can't avoid the clouds without a direct phone line to a higher power, I need to know if your area is not being covered, and to know whether it is due to the following three common reasons:1-- there are no scenes or there are far too few scenes attempted.2-- there were many scenes returned by ASTER but clouds keep obscuring.3-- scenes were returned but they were at the wrong times of year and were much too snowy4-- scenes were returned but the gain settings were wrong, making the scenes far too saturated (and give band numbers where saturated)5-- scenes returned, but they were too dark (and give band numbers)6-- other technical problems (scanline problems, mis-targeted, processing problems, etc.)
If it is a general problem for your whole region, tell me what region; if it is a specific problem for one or two or three areas of special interest, then tell me what places (lat/lons and geographic name)
If you have noted an increase is number of high quality scenes, that information is also helpful (don't worry, there is no pressure to take coverage priority away from you!)
If you are happy with GLIMS acquisitions by ASTER, I'd like to know, but if I don't hear from you I will assume you are happy with the situation.  (As for me, I am still profoundly unhappy with the situation for Alaska-- but that's due mainly to pervasive cloudiness in my areas of interest, and at least we do have some images to work with over the years.)
--Jeff Kargel 		 	   		  
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