Global Cloud Particle Radius from ADEOS-II Satellite (16-Day Binned)

16-day and 1-month statistical binned data provides global cloud effective particle radius for water clouds, derived from the GLI sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) produced this dataset, with a spatial resolution of 1/4 degree and measurements in micrometers. The data was last updated in October 2003, corresponding to the satellite's operational period.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of cloud effective particle radius using the 1/4-degree gridded data to study aerosol-cloud interactions.
• Validate climate model cloud microphysics outputs by comparing against the satellite-derived particle radius statistics (sum, square sum, max, min).
• Investigate seasonal or interannual variability in cloud droplet size by utilizing the 16-day and 1-month temporal binned products.
• Study regional differences in cloud properties by examining the global EQR map projection data.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage with a consistent 1/4-degree grid resolution.
• Provides multiple statistical aggregations per pixel, including sum, square sum, maximum, and minimum values.

Limitations

• Data is temporally stale, with the last update in 2003, limiting analysis of recent climate trends.
• The specific row count and total file size are unknown, making it difficult to assess the dataset's volume.
• Unknown data completeness and potential gaps during the ADEOS-II mission's shortened lifespan.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Derived from multi-channel observations (channels 13, 30, 35) by the GLI optical sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite using a reflection method.

Time Range

Covers the operational period of the ADEOS-II (Midori II) satellite, launched in December 2002 and failed in October 2003.

Freshness

Data corresponds to the ADEOS-II mission period, last updated 2003-10-25.

Geography

Global.