Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Monthly Gridded Cloud Averages (ISCCP-D2like-Day/Nit) Data Set Abstract
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Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Monthly Gridded Cloud Averages (ISCCP-D2like-Day/Nit) Data Set Abstract |
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The Monthly Gridded Cloud Averages (ISCCP-D2like-day/nit), archival data product contains 3-hourly (GMT based) monthly and monthly 1° gridded regional mean cloud properties as a function of 18 cloud types, similar to the ISCCP D2 product, where the cloud properties are stratified by pressure, optical depth and phase. There is a dataset for Terra-MODIS and Aqua-MODIS as well as a day and nighttime dataset. The retrievals and therefore the quality are different for each dataset. For the MODIS based ISCCP D2-like products the cloud amounts for 42 cloud types, similar to the ISCCP D1 product, is also available. Input to the Subsystem is the Single Scanner Footprint TOA/Surface Fluxes and Clouds (SSF) archival data product. Each ISCCP-D2like covers a single month, using the SSF based on the CERES instrument, which is in cross-track scan mode. The science data are Scientific Data Sets (SDSs) with multiple records. Each record contains spatially averaged data for an individual region. The following tables are helpful in recognizing the structure of the HDF output.
| Article I. Cloud Parameter |
|---|
| Cloud Fraction |
| Effective Pressure |
| Effective Temperature |
| Optical Depth |
| Liquid/Ice Water Path |
| Particle size (liq radius, ice diameter) |
| Infrared Emissivity |
| # of obs/GMT box |
ISCCP-D2like 42 Cloud types for MODIS
daytime cloud amounts.
For each cloud type the total, liquid and
ice cloud amounts are given.
Additional information about the format and content of the ISCCP-D2like can be found in the CERES Data Products Catalog. A detailed description of the ISCCP-D2like can be found in the SFC Collection Guide. The Collection Guide is not yet available.
The CERES Data Management Team and the Langley Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) use a Sampling Strategy, a Production Strategy, and a Configuration Code (CCode) to track versions of CERES primary data products. In general, minor reprocessing changes are tracked by increasing the Configuration Code while major reprocessing changes result in a new Production Strategy. The Sampling Strategy identifies the satellite and instruments which acquired the data in the product.
A summary of changes made to the CERES ISCCP product is shown in the following table.
Modification History for: Aqua | Terra
| Sampling Strategy and Production Strategy |
CCode | Available at ASDC |
Impact on ISCCP-D2like Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terra-FM1-MODIS_Beta1 (3) Terra-FM2-MODIS_Beta1 (3) |
023030 | October 2008 |
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| Availability: (1) not available; (2) restricted to CERES analysts; (3) restricted to CERES Science Team and analysts; (4) public | |||
Modification History for: Aqua | Terra
| Sampling Strategy and Production Strategy |
CCode | Available at ASDC |
Impact on ISCCP-D2like Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua-FM3-MODIS-Beta1 (3) Aqua-FM4-MODIS-Beta1 (3) |
023030 | October 2008 |
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| Availability: (1) not available; (2) restricted to CERES analysts; (3) restricted to CERES Science Team and analysts; (4) public | |||
The first two references describe the CERES_MODIS cloud retrieval algorithm. The third reference explains the cloud optical depth gamm distribution assumption. The last reference outlines the GGEO cloud retrieval Layered Bispectral Threshold Model (LBTM) algorithm and is a subset of the MODIS algorithm. Further references of validation and quality of MODIS and GEO cloud retrievals can be found on the CERES reference page from the NASA Langley Cloud and Radiation Group Home Page.
Baum, B. A.; Welch, R. M.; Minnis, P.; Stowe, L. L.; Coakley, J. A., Jr.; Titlow, J.; Tovinkere, V.; Heck, P. W.; Trepte, Q.; Doelling, D. R.; Mayor, S.; Berendes, T.; Han, Q.; Christopher, S. A.; Kuo, K.-S.; Penaloza, M.; Logar, A.; and Davis, P.: Imager Clear-Sky Determination and Cloud Detection (Subsystem 4.1). "Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document, Volume III: Cloud Analyses and Determination of Improved Top of Atmosphere Fluxes (Subsystem 4)(Subsystem 4)" (PDF), NASA RP 1376 Vol. 3, edited by CERES Science Team, December, 1995, pp. 43-82.
Baum, B. A.; Minnis, P.; Coakley, J. A., Jr.; Wielicki, B. A.; Menzel, P.; Titlow, J.; Tovinkere, V.; Heck, P. ; and Mayor, S.: Imager Cloud Height Determination (Subsystem 4.2). "Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document, Volume III: Cloud Analyses and Determination of Improved Top of Atmosphere Fluxes (Subsystem 4)" (PDF), NASA RP 1376 Vol. 3, edited by CERES Science Team, December, 1995, pp. 83-134.
Kato, S.; Rose, F. G.; Charlock, T. P.; 2005: Computation of Domain-Averaged Irradiance Using Satellite-Derived Cloud Properties. J. of Atmos. and Oceanic Tech., 22, pp 146-164
Minnis, P.; Smith, W. L., Jr.; Garber, D. P.; Ayers, J. K.; and Doelling, D. R.: Cloud Properties Derived From GOES-7 for the Spring 1994 ARM Intensive Observing Period Using Version 1.0.0 of the ARM Satellite Data Analysis Program. NASA RP 1366, August 1995, 59 pp
| Investigator(s) Name and Title | Technical Contact(s) | Data Center |
|---|---|---|
| Norman G. Loeb CERES Interdisciplinary Principal Investigator E-mail: norman.g.loeb@nasa.gov Telephone: (757) 864-5688 |
David R. Doelling E-mail: david.r.doelling@nasa.gov Telephone: (757) 864-2155 Atmospheric Sciences Research |
User and Data Services Office Atmospheric Science Data Center NASA Langley Research Center Mail Stop 157D Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199 USA Telephone: (757) 864-8656 FAX: (757) 864-8807 E-mail: larc@eos.nasa.gov URL: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov |
The requested form of acknowledgment for any publication in which these data are used is:
"These data were obtained from the NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center."
The Langley Data Center requests a reprint of any published papers or reports or a brief description of other uses (e.g., posters, oral presentations, etc.) of data that we have distributed. This will help the Data Center determine the use of data distributed, which is helpful in optimizing product development. It also helps us to keep our product related references current.
The CERES Team has gone to considerable trouble to remove major errors and to verify the quality and accuracy of these data. Please provide a reference to the following paper when you publish scientific results with the CERES data:
Wielicki, B. A., B. R. Barkstrom, E. F. Harrison, R. B. Lee III, G. L. Smith, and J. E. Cooper, "Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES): An Earth Observing System Experiment," Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 77, 853-868, 1996.
