ICESat-2 By the Numbers: 300 Trillion

The video explains how the Atlas instrument emits a pulse of photons that travel through the atmosphere, reflect off the Earth's surface, and return to the instrument. Only a small number of photons are received back, and this precise reception is crucial for accurately calculating elevation.

What is the significance of having a small window of photons received by the Atlas instrument?

How does the timing error of the photons affect the calculation of elevation?