The researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory noted satellites taking atmospheric measurements have been hampered by cloud-induced glare when measuring blue skies on cloudy days.

Blue skies might seem empty but researchers said they are full of tiny particles called aerosols, which are made up of water and bits of matter. The aerosols reflect sunlight and the more aerosols, the more sunlight is reflected back to the satellite. But on cloudy days, clouds make nearby aerosols seem brighter than they really are.

The scientists said they have found a way to reduce that glare by as much as 10-fold in some cases. They said their achievement might lead to more accurate estimates of the amount of sunlight penetrating the atmosphere, thereby improving climate models.

The complex study by PNNL atmospheric scientist Evgueni Kassianov and researcher Mikhail Ovtchinnikov was reported in the March 28 issue of the journal Geophysical Research Letters.