Global Cloud Particle Radius Maps from ADEOS-II Satellite

Global maps of cloud effective particle radius for water clouds, derived from the GLI sensor on the ADEOS-II satellite. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) produced this dataset, which provides 16-day and 1-month statistical composites at a 1/4-degree spatial resolution. The data was last updated in October 2003.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of cloud effective particle radius to study aerosol-cloud interactions and climate feedbacks.
• Validate and calibrate numerical weather prediction and climate model outputs for cloud microphysical parameters.
• Investigate seasonal and interannual variability in cloud properties using the 16-day and monthly composite time series.
• Combine the particle radius data with other satellite products to assess cloud radiative forcing and its impact on the energy cycle.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage for comprehensive analysis.
• Data provided at a consistent 1/4-degree spatial resolution.
• Offers both 16-day and 1-month temporal composites for flexibility in analysis.

Limitations

• Data is from 2003, limiting analysis of recent climate trends.
• Specific row/record count and underlying sample size per grid cell are unknown.
• Product is limited to water clouds, excluding ice and mixed-phase clouds.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Collection Method

Retrieved from the Global Imager (GLI) sensor onboard the ADEOS-II satellite using reflection method with channels 13, 30, and 35, then processed to Level 3 binned and mapped products.

Time Range

Coverage corresponds to the ADEOS-II operational period, circa 2003.

Freshness

Last updated on 2003-10-25; no ongoing updates expected.

Geography

Global coverage.