Global Ice Cloud Particle Radius from ADEOS-II Satellite

Global maps of ice cloud effective particle radius, retrieved using an emission method from multi-channel radiance data. The product was produced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) from the GLI sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite. Data has a spatial resolution of 1/4 degree and a statistical period of 16 days, with the last update recorded in October 2003.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of ice cloud particle radius (in micrometers) to study cloud formation and glaciation processes.
• Correlate cloud effective particle radius with other atmospheric variables to validate and improve climate model parameterizations.
• Track temporal changes in ice cloud properties over 16-day and monthly periods for climate trend analysis.
• Use the 1/4-degree gridded, EQR-projected maps as input for radiative transfer models to estimate cloud radiative forcing.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage generated from satellite observations.
• Data provides a specific physical quantity (effective particle radius) in micrometers.
• Product is derived from multi-channel radiance (channels 30, 35, 36) applying a defined emission method.
• Available at a defined spatial resolution of 1/4 degree and temporal periods of 16 days and 1 month.

Limitations

• Data is from 2003, limiting analysis of recent climate trends.
• Specific row count, sample size, and data volume are unknown.
• Product is limited to ice clouds and uses a specific retrieval method (emission), which may not capture all cloud types.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Retrieved from the GLI (Global Imager) sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite using an emission method on multi-channel radiance data, then projected onto a map from Level 3 binned products.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2003-10-25; update frequency is null.

Geography

Global.