Douglas C. Morton

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Douglas C. Morton is a leading figure in Earth remote sensing, with a career defined by advancing our understanding of global environmental change through innovative satellite and sensor technologies. His primary research areas encompass tropical deforestation, fire ecology, and carbon cycle science, where he has pioneered the use of high-resolution thermal infrared imaging to monitor ecosystem dynamics. Morton is perhaps best known for his leadership in developing the Compact Thermal Imager (CTI), a groundbreaking dual- and multi-spectral band strained-layer superlattice (SLS) infrared camera system that successfully operated from the International Space Station in 2019. This achievement marked a major contribution to space-based Earth observation, demonstrating how compact, next-generation sensors can provide critical data on land surface temperature and fire activity. With over 15,000 citations to his name, Morton’s work has profoundly shaped climate and conservation policy. His notable accomplishments include serving as Deputy Director for the Biospheric Sciences Laboratory at NASA Goddard, where he continues to drive the development of advanced imaging systems that bridge the gap between cutting-edge physics and pressing environmental questions.