Global Brightness Temperature imagery animations from the Cloud Archive User Service project. This project produced a long time-series of global thermal infra-red imagery of the Earth using data from operational meteorological satellites, which was used in validating atmospheric General Circulation Models. The higher resolution CLAUS data were used to create monthly animations for educational purposes. The movie collection spans the period 1983-1994. For detailed information about the CLAUS data (processing, quality, etc) please see available documentation (Docs).

Global Brightness Temperature imagery from the Cloud Archive User Service project. This project produced a long time-series of global thermal infra-red imagery of the Earth using data from operational meteorological satellites, which was used in validating atmospheric General Circulation Models. The source data used in CLAUS are the level B3 (reduced resolution) 10 micron radiances from operational meteorological satellites participating in the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Programme (ISCCP) and were obtained from the NASA Langley Atmospheric Sciences Data Center (LASDC). During the CLAUS project the B3 data were first processed to create a uniform latitude-longitude grid (or image) of Brightness Temperature (BT) values at a spatial resolution of 0.5 by 0.5 degrees and temporal resolution of three hours. The B3 data were also rigorously quality controlled to remove residual noise and navigation/calibration errors that were noticed in the original processing. The 0.5 degree resolution data were updated and supplemented by a new product at one-third degree spatial resolution for use in process studies. The CLAUS Lo-res data archive span the period 1983-2009 and the files are stored in the Portable Grey Map (PGM) format. This is a simple flat file binary format preceded by an ASCII (readable) header that contains information such as the image dimensions and version number. For detailed information about the CLAUS data (processing, quality, etc) please see available documentation (Docs).

Global Brightness Temperature imagery from the Cloud Archive User Service project. This project produced a long time-series of global thermal infra-red imagery of the Earth using data from operational meteorological satellites, which was used in validating atmospheric General Circulation Models. The source data used in CLAUS are the level B3 (reduced resolution) 10 micron radiances from operational meteorological satellites participating in the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Programme (ISCCP) and were obtained from the NASA Langley Atmospheric Sciences Data Center (LASDC). During the CLAUS project the B3 data were processed to create a uniform latitude-longitude grid (or image) of Brightness Temperature (BT) values at a spatial resolution of 0.5 by 0.5 degrees and temporal resolution of three hours. Information at the grid point level about the satellites used in generating each BT image, and the type of interpolation applied, is held in two supplementary quality files. The CLAUS Lo-res data archive span the period 1983-2009 and the files are stored in the Portable Grey Map (PGM) format. This is a simple flat file binary format preceded by an ASCII (readable) header that contains information such as the image dimensions and version number. For detailed information about the CLAUS data (processing, quality, etc) please see available documentation (Docs).

The aim of the GRAPE project was to produce a global cloud and aerosol dataset using a state-of-the-art physical retrieval of the entire duration of the Along Track Scanning Radiometer 2 (ATSR-2) mission (aboard ERS-2). This dataset will be compared and contrasted with existing climatologies (based on different instruments and very different retrieval algorithms). The GRAPE project was initially funded through the Clouds, Water Vapour and Climate (CWVC) Programme, a five-year NERC directed research programme. The dataset has been developed further within the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) and now includes data from the Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR). The GRAPE dataset contains cloud optical depth, aerosol optical depth (cloud free), cloud phase, cloud particle size, cloud top pressure, cloud fraction and cloud ice/water path along with associated error measurements. Data spans the period 1995 to 2009 (v2 covers 1995-2001, v3 covers 1995-2009).

The GBS (Global Broadcast Service) dataset is a series of radio attenuation measurements made at three sites in the UK: Chilbolton and Sparsholt, both in southern UK, and Dundee in Scotland. The aim of the experiment was to make long term measurements of the signal strength received from a 20.7GHz beacon on the US Department of Defense satellite UFO-9 at multiple sites, in order to determine whether the use of site diversity as a fade mitigation technique would be effective. The dataset spans a period of 3 years, from August 2003 to August 2006 with signal attenuation sampled once per second. This dataset is cited in: S. A. Callaghan, J. Waight, J.L.Agnew, C. J. Walden, C.L.Wrench , S. Ventouras “The GBS dataset: measurements of satellite site diversity at 20.7 GHz in the UK”, Geoscience Data Journal, 17 March 2013, DOI: 10.1002/gdj3.2

The GBS (Global Broadcast Service) dataset is a series of radio attenuation measurements made at three sites in the UK: Chilbolton and Sparsholt, both in southern UK, and Dundee in Scotland. The aim of the experiment was to make long term measurements of the signal strength received from a 20.7GHz beacon on the US Department of Defense satellite UFO-9 at multiple sites, in order to determine whether the use of site diversity as a fade mitigation technique would be effective. The dataset spans a period of 3 years, from August 2003 to August 2006 with signal attenuation sampled once per second. This dataset is cited in: S. A. Callaghan, J. Waight, J.L.Agnew, C. J. Walden, C.L.Wrench , S. Ventouras “The GBS dataset: measurements of satellite site diversity at 20.7 GHz in the UK”, Geoscience Data Journal, 17 March 2013, DOI: 10.1002/gdj3.2

Data were collected from the 1st of November 2006 to the 31st of October 2010 by the HALO photonics Doppler lidar at Chilbolton Observatory, Hampshire. The dataset contains measurements attenuated backscatter coefficients of aerosols within the atmosphere, as well as the radial and Doppler velocity of these particles. Plots of the attenuated backscatter coefficient at different heights, and of the Doppler velocity of particles are also available.

The GBS (Global Broadcast Service) dataset is a series of radio attenuation measurements made at three sites in the UK: Chilbolton and Sparsholt, both in southern UK, and Dundee in Scotland. The aim of the experiment was to make long term measurements of the signal strength received from a 20.7GHz beacon on the US Department of Defense satellite UFO-9 at multiple sites, in order to determine whether the use of site diversity as a fade mitigation technique would be effective. The dataset spans a period of 3 years, from August 2003 to August 2006 with signal attenuation sampled once per second. This dataset is cited in: S. A. Callaghan, J. Waight, J.L.Agnew, C. J. Walden, C.L.Wrench , S. Ventouras “The GBS dataset: measurements of satellite site diversity at 20.7 GHz in the UK”, Geoscience Data Journal, 17 March 2013, DOI: 10.1002/gdj3.2

The SMMR and SSM/I Pathfinder brightness temperatures provide scientists with more than 20 years of consistently processed, passive microwave data for use in climatological and earth science research. Each file represents gridded data for a single sensor channel and polarization, derived from either ascending or descending orbits for one day, thereby allowing discrimination of diurnal changes in earth surface processes. Each data sets consists of three series: the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and a global projection. Grids represent spatially interpolated data. The interpolation techniques maximize the radiometric integrity of original brightness temperature values, maintain high spatial and temporal precision, and involve no averaging of original swath data. SMMR coverage began October 1978 and continued through July 1987. Grid resolution is 25 km for all channels. SSM/I coverage began August 1987 and continues through the present. Processing is ongoing with current data available within three to six months of sensor data acquisition. Resolution is 25 km for all channels and 12.5 km for the 85 GHz channels. A sample data set comprising selected SSM/I EASE-Grid brightness temperature data and time files for all three projections from September 8 (day 251), 1997 is included on this CD-ROM.

Derived from the global TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) data set, the TOVS Polar Pathfinder provides users with gridded daily and monthly arctic atmospheric soundings. Since 1979, TOVS has been a vital tool for weather forecasting, supplying users with information on the vertical distribution of temperature and moisture in the global atmosphere. TOVS has been particularly useful in providing atmospheric soundings over regions where in situ measurements are sparse. TOVS Polar Pathfinder data were obtained using a modified version of the Improved Initialization Inversion Algorithm to identify geophysical parameters in snow- and ice-covered areas. The data set has been designed to address the particular needs of the polar research community, and includes quantities used to compute surface turbulent fluxes and drive ocean models. Variables retrieved from satellite observed radiances for this product include atmospheric temperature profiles, water vapor, surface (skin) temperature, total effective cloud fraction, cloud top pressure, cloud top temperature, turning angle between geostrophic wind and surface stress over ice, emissivity, boundary layer stratification and geostrophic drag coefficient. TOVS data coverage spans July 7, 1979 through December 31, 1996 at a resolution of 100 km. Sample products for four selected dates in 1988 are included on this CD-ROM.