Ice Cloud Top Temperature from ADEOS-II Satellite

Version 2 data provides cloud top temperature for ice clouds, measured in Kelvin, derived from the GLI sensor's multi-channel radiance readings. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) produced this global dataset using an emission method applied to channels 30, 35, and 36. It features a 0.25-degree spatial resolution and a 4-day statistical period, with the last update recorded in October 2003.

Use Cases

• Validate climate model simulations of cloud top temperature using the 0.25-degree resolution global grid.
• Analyze temporal trends in ice cloud properties by aggregating the 4-day statistical period data over longer timeframes.
• Study regional variations in cloud radiative forcing by correlating Kelvin temperature values with other atmospheric datasets.
• Assess algorithm performance for retrieving cloud temperature from specific infrared channels (30, 35, 36).

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage with a consistent 0.25-degree grid.
• Data derived from a dedicated sensor (GLI) with a 1600 km swath for broad observation.
• Specific physical quantity (temperature) provided in a standard unit (Kelvin).

Limitations

• Data is from 2003, making it temporally stale for contemporary climate studies.
• Product is limited to ice clouds, excluding other cloud types.
• Unknown sample size and record count for statistical analysis.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Remote sensing data from the GLI optical sensor onboard the ADEOS-II (Midori II) satellite, processed using an emission method on multi-channel radiance.

Time Range

Coverage period unknown; product version finalized by 2003.

Freshness

Last updated 2003-10-25; no update frequency specified.

Geography

Global coverage with EQR map projection.